Henry B. Whittington Diary, 17 January 1862 - 27 July 1862

File — Box: 1, Folder: 2

Identifier: MS011-01-002

Staff Only

Content Description

From the Collection:

The diary begins on the date of Federal occupation of Alexandria by Union troops, May 24, 1861. Entries describe events related to the Civil War, the occupying troops, and attitudes of the local populace. There is rich detail regarding personnel of the ever-changing occupying force, its disruption of local affairs, and response of the citizens. Local and national events such as major battles, skirmishes, and political occurrences are vividly described. References to persons important to the history of Alexandria and the country for that period are frequent. Sectional opinion of the period toward issues such as slavery, contrabands, and emancipation are also present. Relevant newspaper clippings cut by Whittington are included in Folio 3. The diary ends on April 22, 1865.

Dates

17 January 1862 - 27 July 1862

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Fragile handwritten documents. Handle with care.

Extent

From the Collection: .316 Cubic Feet (1 card box) : The diary is a collection of sheets of lined pages, folded crosswise in pairs with the entries written across the lines. There is no cover. Loose threads along the folded edge of some sections suggest that some or all of the diary may have been bound at one time.