ROSEBERRY, ISAAC, 1832-
Isaac Roseberry diary, 1861-1865

Emory University

Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library

Atlanta, GA 30322

404-727-6887

rose.library@emory.edu

Permanent link: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/8ztv4

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Roseberry, Isaac, 1832-
Title: Isaac Roseberry diary, 1861-1865
Call Number:Manuscript Collection No. 391
Extent: 1 microfilm reel (MF)
Abstract:Microfilm copy of the diary of Isaac Roseberry, who served in the 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics Regiment, during the Civil War.
Language:Materials entirely in English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Source

Loaned for microfilming, 1962.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Isaac Roseberry diary, 1861-1865, Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Processed by BIW, 1962.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Isaac Roseberry, a Union soldier from Berlin, Ottawa County, Michigan, enlisted in Company D, 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics Regiment, November 16, 1861, to serve for three years. On February 1, 1864, he reenlisted as a "Veterans Volunteer," for the war.

Roseberry's company along with companies F and G, left Lebanon, Kentucky, on December 31 and went to Mill Springs, Kentucky with General George H. Thomas to whom they were assigned. Roseberry was at the battle of Mills Springs January 19, 1862 but the engineers were not actively engaged in the fighting. In October 1862, his unit was in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee area, building fixed and pontoon bridges, cutting crossties, repairing rail-roads and doing other repair and construction work until late August when the unit moved to Bridgeport, Alabama, to build a bridge across the Tennessee River. In mid-September Roseberry and his unit moved to Chattanooga where they remained until October 1864 building boats for pontoon bridges, constructing bridges, running a saw mill to cut timber for boats and bridges, and performing various other engineer duties. They also helped build forts in the Chattanooga area. During October and the early part of November 1864, the unit, or that portion of it which reenlisted as Veteran Volunteers, helped destroy depots, roundhouses and railroad track in Atlanta and vicinity. They accompanied Sherman on his march to Savannah, helping to destroy railroad track as they proceeded. After the capture of Savannah, the engineers helped build defenses for the city. On January 29 they left Savannah, joined Sherman's Army and proceeded with it through South Carolina and North Carolina, In July 1865 the engineer regiment went to Nashville where it remained until September 23.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of a microfilm copy of the diary of Isaac Roseberry from 1861 to 1865. The diary recounts Roseberry's experiences in Company D of the 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics Regiment and although Roseberry occasionally comments on the countryside, the weather and the people; its chief value is the detailed information that it gives on the unit's engineering activities in various southern cities. In the back of the diary is a roster of Company D with a notation following the name of each man telling what happened to him and information on Roseberry's pension.

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