User talk:DIARYOFSGTHULBERT

DIARY OF SGT R W HULBERT OF THE 46TH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

This is the title I have chosen to identify the American Civil War ledger writings of Sgt. Richardson W. Hulbert of Illinois. The notebook I have acquired covers the final months of the war and the year immediately following.

Although it is not a true "daily log" of events, the sargeant recorded significant events and movements on a least a weekly basis. The handwriting is excellent and the exterior of the ledger is in remarkable condition. Writings begin on page 79 and thus the first 78 pages are missing. Also a large number of pages have been removed from the back section.

The 46th Infantry spent a good part of 1865 in Mobile County, Alabama (Dauphin Island, Blakeney Island, and the City of Mobile). In reading the account of the ordnance explosion of May 25, 1865 in the northern section of Mobile, I became interested in the event which killed hundreds.

I have no reason to edit or correct what has been written about the explosion. What I do have is the word-for-word descriptions and actions as recorded by Sgt. Hulbert. On May 25, 1865 the young soldier began his chronicle by stating the following:

''A terrific explosion has just taken place in this city. The government  warehouse stored full of powder, thus and will, exploded at 2 o'clock this afternoon, and it was the most terrific occurence we have ever seen....''

The following day, May 26, Sgt. Hulbert added to the story:

''Last evening the Regiment was formed and ______ (assigned) to the scene of the great catastrophie. We was to keep the people form the scene, as its shells was exploding every minute, and to search the ruins for bodies....''

From reading the previous entries of Sgt. Hulbert, it is apparent that the young man born in New York and fighting for the State of Illinois was remarkably impressed with the beauty of the City of Mobile. Further, he was growing fond of the people of the city.

In the two entries (May 25th and May 26th), Hulbert recorded approximately 300 words in his description of the great explosion. If parties are interested, I will be pleased to post the complete writings. I will attempt to make good photographic copies.

Best regards,

David Hulsey, Ph.D. Americomm1014@msn.com