This incredible diary is part of the exceptional collection that belonged to George Sprague, who died from his wounds suffered at the Battle of Gettysburg at aged 27. He was born Grafton, Mass. Was a Shoemaker by trade and mustered into service at Fort Independence as a Pvt in Company K, 13th Massachusetts Volunteers on July 16, 1861.
Personal diary of George Sprague with oil cloth cover, measures 3-1/4” x 4-3/4” It is a “Perpetual Diary issued by A. Liebenroth & Von AUW on 25 Beekman Street, New York” for the 1863 calendar year.
His first entry is Jan 1 and he mentions that “Came into camp we now ___ on the 18th of Dec ___ near ____. Battle of Fredericksburg was fought the 13th of Dec 1862”
•Wounded at Gettysburg, July 1 on the first day of the battle, he made an entry into his diary on that day that he “Started for Gettysburg/met the enemy and engaged them”.
• On July 3 he wrote: “Still lying on the battlefield ____ wounds ____ ______.”
• An interesting entry on the page of March 25 but is dated July 4, 1863 and is written “Guards will ___ the bearer private G.E. Sprague outside the pickets to return before dark/_____/Commanding Division” This corresponds to the pardon issued to him by the retreating Confederate army.
This collection was in the family’s possession from then until now.
