Ira Stockbridge diaries

The Diaries of Ira Stockbridge contain a set of four manuscript diaries: a pocket diary for each year from 1862-1865, written by Ira L. Stockbridge. This set of diaries chronicles almost the entire course of the Civil War, through the daily tasks of Ira Stockbridge, an ordinary Union soldier, who wrote a sentence or two about the major camp activities of each day. He writes about taking care of horses, drilling, shopping, guarding deserters, and encounters with rebels. Stockbridge writes about falling sick and spending his time at the hospital. One follows the troop movements of the First RI Cavalry, then company I of the first NH Cavalry, moving up and down the coast according to surprise raids and re-organization of battalions. Writes about fellow soldiers who were taken captive when his cavalry attacked the picket line in the rear of the Federal army on February 25, 1863. June 18, 1863 writes about being captured and short description of lack of food. 1864 writes about being taken prisoner on Sept 28 and distance away from camp. In the diary for the year 1865, Stockbridge writes of returning home and making shoes for a living. Fails to mention being captured and paroled.