An Illinois School Girl's Civil War Diary, 1861-1864

A small diary, measuring 6" x 7.25", Rockford, Illinois, dated February 12, 1861 to April 4, 1864. A diary belonging to 15-year-old Kate Church. The bulk of the entries are for the year 1861, and there is a time jump from the entry on March 24, 1862 to the next entry on January 18, 1864. Numerous blank pages near the end. With multiple poems at the back, some by Kate and others copied from the words of Tennyson, Pope, etc. Marbled boards.

Highlights from the war-dated diary:

April 26, 1861: "…I have got in high school and there too the great excitement about the war. Oh we little know what things will happen to our country, but we will trust in providence, and we know that the Lord is on our side. Last Wednesday our first volunteers started for Springfield & they do not know where they will then be ordered. 100 other companies are forming here and will hold themselves in readyness [sic] if they are called for. The stars and stripes are on nearly all the public buildings and a good many flags have been raised on private houses. We have got one on our house. There was one raised on the school house last night. The girls at school are all wearing bows of red white and blue…"

April 28, 1861: "…Mr. Goodwin preached a sermon that he preached last Sunday in our church it was so good that they wanted him to repeat it - it was on the war. The house was crowded they said the house never was so full untill [sic] Tuesday night and then the soldiers took up a good deal of room. The pulpit was decorated with a flag and altho it was Sunday night they cheered him…"

May 12, 1861: "Today the second company of volunteers started. They are going to Freeport to drill 30 days and if they are not called away before that time they are coming home. I hope they will not be. Will Brown went I guess his brother felt sorry to have him go for he is not old enough…There were two other companies on the train that ours went on. Mary & Anna went down to sew for the volunteers this morning and have not been home since…"

February 16, 1862: "…Oh dear how I wish we could hear something from the War. Tonight the companys [sic] that went from here are probably in the battle that is going on at Fort Donelson. We little know how many hearts and homes will be without a Father or Brother."

January 19, 1864: "…Father told me tonight when he came to tea that George Stratton has been elected Captain of a company. I am very glad for his sake he has risen rapidly indeed."

The diary pages have some light toning and foxing throughout. Binding is cracked and some pages are a little loose. The front cover is nearly completely detached. Bumped corners. Text is legible, even if a little faded in places. Overall very good.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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