Leather bound diary
Dimensions 4 ¼" x 6 ½", containing 32 unlined pages
Written in pencil scrawl and copy begins on second page

Text is transcribed as it was written by Daniel - spelling and verbage are as he penned. Underlines indicate unreadable text.

September 3, 1864 - January 8, 1865

September 3rd, 1864
Went to Camp on the 3rd of September in the afternoon - rained very hard. Got in the tent with W. Speers and R. Stewart was very tired. Feel asleep - very soon awakened to get army clothe(s)

Sabbath morning
September 4th Got up, went to get grub after waiting a long time was marche(d) in the eating house. Got hard tack and a cup of coffee - at dinner bean soup. Was at Prayer meeting and preaching in camp, attended service in the roaring rained (rain). Put up quarters - rained very hard at night (and) our quarters (are) not too comfortable.

1865 September 5
Capt. Randles (?) first order is to get grub. This is done by forming in line and marching in the eating house which hold about 400 men. There are about four to 5000 men in camp they make a very long (line) to get to breakfast. The first company of Capt. Bears (or Beers) organized. This is done by marching the company to headquarters and calling the roll:
Dinner time. Form in the long line and take our turn. After dinner the second company is called out and is marched all to headquarters. The roll is called, this is what is called organizing __________ the Capt. and ___________ are appointed. The camp is very disagreeable on account of rain. We had to give up our tent. Got another in the evening, rained on us while we were put(t)ing it up, which made our quarters very uncomfortable. Rained all night - slept tolerably well.

Tuesday September 6th.
Wet and disagreeable - got breakfast about 8 oclock which is a very plain one. A chunk of bread and a piece of fat bacon a cup of coffee. The forenoon is spent in loafing around the camp looking at men putting up tents or improving their quarters.

Camp Reynolds
September 7
Pleasant this morning, our camp is drying up. Our quarters are tolerable. Good men are coming by the hundred. Tents are going up very fast. The camp has the appearance of a large city. The soldiers generally are large and robust men. As our regiment is not organized we have no duty to perform. The day is spent in running around. Went to Braddocks fields to the store. Got some cheese and pie. The government grubis not very good and the manner of distributing is very unsatisfactory. I only go about once a day to get something to eat. The ___________ _________ bread is our s________. We have all things common when one has anything we all have.

September 8
Rainy morning. Camp muddy and disagreeable. Got a pass for to go to Pittsburg. Bought a pair of boots, some bread and beef. Returned to camp. The day is passed without doing any duty.

September 9
Day is pleasant. Camp dried up very much. The day is spent in walking around.

September 10
Rained last night, made camp very disagreeable. Got a furlow, got home about dark. September 11 at home, went to church, spent balance of the day at home.

Monday September 12
Left home arrived at camp at 1 o'clock. Spent the rest of the day walking around through the camp.

Tuesday September 13
The day is spent in doing nothing. Our company is thrown out of Col. Gallop's Regiment. The reason for it is not known. Our company is to go in Col. Barnses (Barnes') regiment. A great deal of dissatisfaction about it. Col. Gallop's Regiment left camp about 5 oclock.

September 14
Rainy morning. Reports that Barnes' regiment is to leave this evening, but did not leave. Commenced raining this evening. This day has been spent in loafing around camp as usual. Nothing doing.

Thursday September 15
Very pleasant morning, our regiment left this evening. Went for the cars (train cars) about 6 oclock.

Friday September 16
Are on the headwaters of the Juniata (River). Came about 149 miles last night. Got to little York in the afternoon, started for Baltimore. Its 90 miles from Harrisburg. Got to Washington late in the evening.

Sabbath September 18
Lay in Washington 'til noonday. Got our muskets this evening.

Monday September 19
Got breakfast started for the fort. Was on the road for three hours, it is 7 miles from Washington. Weather fine.

Tuesday September 20
Paraded in the morning and evening - weather fine.

Wednesday September 21
Paraded in the morning and evening - day fine.

Thursday September 22
Cleaned up camp and cleaned barracks. Rained last night - this day fine.

Friday September 21 (should read Friday, September 23)
Got marching orders in the morning at 4 o'clock. Started at 10 o'clock for Fort Tillinghurst, arrived at 3 o'clock - distance about 6 miles. We are directly opposite Washington _________. Cleaned up barracks, I stood guard at the magazine in the fort.

Saturday September 23 (should read Saturday, September 24)
Did not do any duty this day.

September 26 (should read Sunday, September 25)
Had inspection of guns and Knapsacks this day. Did not do any military duty.

September 27 (should read Monday, September 26)
Done some military duty, nothing else of interest / (27th) was on police duty this day, cleaned up camp and fort.

September 28
Went on picket duty this morning. Will be on till tomorrow morning.

September 29
Very well, am now on duty. This day we are ordered to march don't know where. Got in Alexandria about 4 o'clock. Got on the cars (train) at 7 o'clock. Was run out on the Orange and Alexandria, march 1 mile had our guns ___________ got orders to lie on our guns, had no shelter it has rained on us considerable.

September 30
Marched about 1 mile was sent back about 2 mile(s) for it. Fixed up quarters - went on guard duty this morning, stood 4 hours was pleasant.

October 1st
Was dismissed from guard at 9 o'clock. Started to see about my bother. Found him very unwell, deranged in his mind. Got a pass to take him and some of us went to the hospital. Started with him and two others at 10 o'clock at night for Alexandria, arrived there about 2 o'clock in the morning. Took them to the sanitary com(m)ission, staid (sic) with them till morning. Started for the cars at 9 o'clock, left David middling poorly. Rained very hard this evening.

Sab(b)ath October 2nd 1864
Eat my breakfast at the Sanitary Commision. Took the train for camp arrived at 12 o'clock. Did not do any duty this day, a very muddy camp - is not dried up from last nights rains.

Monday, October 3
Cloudy morning to day - got marching orders, packed up and fell in. Started at 8 o'clock for bull run bridge, arrived at 9 o'clock. The company is divided in 3 squads. I was put on picket duty as soon as we unslung knapsacks. Our company is guarding bull run bridge. Evening cloudy looks for rain.

October 4
Was on picket duty till this morning. Have not got anything to eat since yesterday morning. Some of the boys are sent out to by (buy) something to eat. Got a few cakes. The squad I was in was across the bridge. Had to move to the Capt. (?) quarters. Pleasant day.

October 5th 1864
Nothing to eat yet. Looking anxiously for it. Stood picket this afternoon. Day is cloudy, nothing of importance. Sent for bread, got some, bought 2 ½ loaves at 8 ct per loaf.

Thursday October 6th 1864
Nothing of importance. Got no government grub yet. Did no duty this day. Got half a loaf of bread this evening. Bought a pie and cake.

Friday October 7th 1864
Went on picket duty this morning after breakfast, is a fine morning. Afternoon wee can hear the can(n)on plainly in the direction of Sheridans army. There has 7 carloads of candy sent in the direction of Sheridan. Heard that Brother David had died on Tuesday the 4th of Octoberober at 1 o'clock. Capt. Leslie received a bulletin from one of the Sick at the hospital containing this sad intelligence. Capt. Leslie got his letter in the evening - was excused from picket duty.

Saturday October 8
Nothing of importance occurred (sic) - only the regular routine of camp duty. Weather cold with high wind. Got letter (from) Davids wife about his death.

Sunday October 9th
Went on picket duty this morning, nothing of importance occurring. The weather is cold, very heavy frost tonight. Wrote a letter to my dear wife.

Monday October 10th 1864
Very cold this morning. Was relieved from picket duty this morning. Volunteered to guard a train on the railroad. Started at 1 o'clock for Piedmont. Was fired into on this side (north) of Thoroughfare gap by a band of guerrillas, none hurt. The squad fired at them, do not know whether we hit any of them or not. When we arrived at White Plains we found that the road was cut by the guerrillas. The train ahead of us (by) about 2 hours got throwed (sic) off. 7 lives lost and some wounded. Locomotive and cars thrown off and smashed up. We put up for the night at White Plains to sleep after sundown and sleeping for an hour (when) the pickets came in firing. We were called out and formed in a line to support the pickets, but as there was no enemy appeared we were dismissed and slept till morning.

We(d)nesday 12th
Came back by Pictertown (probably Salem) which is about 5 miles from Piedmont where we lay over for trains from Alexandria which were due at 11 o'clock, but none arriving. It was supposed that rebels had destroyed the track. We lay over till next day, there was a train arrived at dusk.

Tuesday October 11th 1864 (out of sequence)
Lay in the town of White Plains till wreck was taken from the track then started for Piedmont where we arrived at 5 o'clock in the evening. Put up in the cars for the night. Before leaving White Plains the 8th U.S. Illinois they had a fight with the rebels. I saw them going, heard the firing saw one wounded man feched (sic) in the battle did not last long. - After this night we left for Piedmont as I should have stated before -

Thursday 13th 1864
Trains are coming from Alexandria, everything is right on the road. Have to wait till noon till all the trains come in. Noon we start, not anything occurs on the road. It is said by the pickets that a few guerrillas are seen along the road. We stop along the road often to leave off provisions for the soldiers. We get to our camp at 10 o'clock at night. Were from Monday noon till this (Thursday) night making the trip. Weather fine.

Friday October 14th 1864
Was not anything of importance occurred in camp to day only the regular routine of camp duty. Fine day, commenced to keep worship.

Saturday October 15th
Commenced to put up a stockade. Got it about half finished. No other duty except picket duty.

Sunday October 16
Capt. gave orders that the stockade must be finished. Commenced and worked all day, did not get it quite done. Is a fair day, is reported that the guerrillas are going to attack us at night. Had to sleep on our arms, the pickets doubled, everything on the alert.

Monday October 17th 1864
Went on picket duty, this morning is a pleasant day. Nothing of importance accurred (sic), every thing quiet.

Tuesday 18th
Was relieved from picket duty this morning. Nothing of importance in camp - fine day.

Wednesday 19th 1864
There is can(n)on firing heard in the direction of Manassas gap. Went out on a scout, discovered nothing of importance. Fine day.

Thursday October 20th 1864
Have some duty to do at the stockade. There is another scouting party to go out today - am put in - do not feel very well. Is a fine day, nothing of any particular importance. Hard frost last night.

Friday October 21st 1864
Went on picket duty this morning. Helped to build a picket shanty. Is a very fine day - got news of Sheridan's victory. Every on in camp is rejoiced to hear such news. Some of the company is engaged in making rifle pits and brush piles around our camp. Got a letter from my dear wife this evening. The letter is dated the 14th and 16th of October. She writes to me of Brother David's funeral. Am still not very well - feel some better this afternoon.

Saturday October 22nd 1864
Came of(f) picket duty this morning, rained last night, was somewhat disagreeable to be on picket. Quit raining this morning, is a cool and windy day. Nothing of importance in camp, was on no duty. Part of the company are still engaged in dig(g)ing rifle pits around the camp.

Sabbath morn October 23rd 1864
Is a beautiful morning. Have no picket duty to do today. No preaching. Every thing quiet.

Monday October 24th
Have been unwell some symptoms of ague. DOctoberors giving me quinine. I do not like our regimental dOctoberor.

October 25th 1864
Went to see a dOctoberor that lives handy to camp. Like the appearance of him, am taking his medicine. Nothing of importance in camp.

Wednesday October 26
Am taking medicine from the dOctoberor that lives in the neighborhood of the camp. He is helping me.

Thursday October 27
Still continuing to take medicine

Friday October 28
Taking medicine

Saturday October 29
Still taking medicine

Sabbath October 30
Still taking medicine

Monday October 31st
Taking medicine

Tuesday November 1st 1864
Am still not very well. Taking a little medicine.

Wednesday November 2nd
Still not fit for duty

Thursday November 3rd
Am improving

Friday November 4th
Improving in health

Saturday November 5th
Feel my self improving

November 6th
Still unfit for duty

November 7th
Still unfit for duty

November 8
Election day, was excused from duty. The election passed off quietly. Lincoln got 52 votes, Mclellan (sic) 39 in our company.

November 9th 1864
Nothing of importance in camp. Getting better.

November 10th Thursday
Am not doing any duty. Not any thing of importance, weather fine.

Friday November 11
Am commencing (sic) to help cook. Am not doing any military duty.

Saturday November 12th 1864
Cleaned up my gun. Have a good appetite. Is reported that we will leave Bull run.

Sunday November 13th 1864
We heard no religious services nor we have not seen our chaplain yet. Sunday evening we get orders to pack up and be ready to move in a minutes warning. Everything is tore up in a short time + every one ready about 9 o'clock. The cars come to take us and we are ready to move. We are on our way to Alexandria. We arrive there at 12 o'clock and get supper at the soldiers rest. We have to lie down in the commons of the Soldiers rest to sleep. It is very cold. Thomas Irwin and I sleep together. Did not sleep very much.

Monday November 14th 1864
Got breakfast at daylight, I am detailing for wagon guard. Do not as yet know where we are going. Start at 9 o'clock in the direction of Washington. It is soon rumoured (sic) that we are going to Fort Ethan Allen. After noon we are positively informed that we go to the above named fort. We arrive at 8 o'clock at the fort with the wagon train. The regiment is encamped 2 miles out from the fort for the night. I got in the barracks with the stove and slept soundly till morning.

Tuesday November 15th
The regiment is coming in and the men that occupied the fort are leaving. We are soon put in our proper barracks and are fixing up our quarters. They are in very bad case (condition). It will take us several days to get everything in order. It is very cold - am not as well as I was at Bull run.

Wednesday November 16th
Do not feel well at all. The march was too much for my strength. Went to the dOctoberor, he gave me medicine to strengthen me.

Thursday November 17th 1864
Am not doing any military duty. There was a grand inspection of the regiment by a regular United States officer and also of the knapsacks.

November Friday 18th 1864
Not any thing of importance this morning

Saturday 19th 1864
Do not feel very well - am not fit for duty at all

Sunday 20th 1864
Am still unwell - am excused from duty

November 21st
Have the interminable fever + entirely unfit for duty. The dOctoberor excuses me from duty. Report(ed) at the surgeons (in the) evening. Morning till I get to the hospital.

Am in the hospital till Jan 8th 1865 - when the surgeon sends me to my company in the Ambulance - Reported at Fort Haggerty.

Sober (signed)

There was additional writing on the inside back cover but it was undecipherable for Robert Kindmark, who transcribed the diary, August 10, 1977
From the original diary donated by Dr. Jeanne Braham, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

The following letter accompanied the diary transcription:

Allegheny College
Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335

12 August, 1977

Dear Bob,

What good news that you've finished transcribing Daniel Sober's diary. Here is the information you requested culled from a family history collected by my grandfather, Adam Mercer Douthett:

"Daniel Sober was born January 27th, 1828, and was a well to do farmer owning a farm which bordered on the town of Leechburg, Pa. Served in the Civil War in Company H, Sixth Regiment Penna., Heavy Artillery and received disablements which finally caused his death. He was a man active in public affairs, serving as school director, tax collector, assessor and almost every public office in his township; also served in every office of Hebron Lutheran Church of Leechburg where he was an active member all his life. In politics he was an unswerving Republican. He died May 23, 1893 from injuries received in defending his country."

That last statement seems a touch of purple passion to me since the death occurs some 30 years after the "disablements", but I recall my aunts always saying that they thought he contracted "consumption" from exposure. Both my mother and my one aunt recall stories about him though they never saw him. The recollect that he was a blacksmith and "had his shop at the top of a hill near the home he hand-built that still remains standing in Leechburg. They say they "never thought of him as a farmer but as a blacksmith." (hardly the occupation for a consumptive)

Hope this patchy record will suffice. I didn't realize the family knew his regiment; sorry; perhaps I could have saved you sometime.

My family would like very much to have a copy of your completed project when it's ready. We will, of course, pay you for photo-copying it and are grateful for your interest and dedication.

See you in the fall,
Signed - Jeanne Braham