A MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIER’S DIARIES OF WAR, CAMP LIFE, FENIANS, AND VETERAN MEMORY

FEATURES AN EARLY “FOOT BALL” REFERENCE DURING THE CIVIL WAR 

A group of three diaries meticulously kept by Corporal George G. Tarbell of Company G, 6th Massachusetts Infantry. Beginning in 1862, these volumes document his enlistment, wartime service in 1862 and 1864, and his return to civilian life in 1866, including his early involvement with the newly established Grand Army of the Republic.

The diaries comprise:

1. Manuscript diary. Various places, chiefly Massachusetts and Virginia, 1 January–31 December 1862. 138 pages of manuscript entries, followed by 26 pages of accounting. 3 x 6 3/4 in. Lacking covers; repaired with modern cloth tape.

2. Manuscript diary. Various places, chiefly Virginia, 24 May, 9–26 July (excepting 19 and 23 July), and 12 September–31 December 1864. 115 pages of manuscript entries, including 25 pages of quartermaster-related business dated October 1864 at the beginning of the volume, and 23 pages of accounting at the end. 2 7/8 x 4 3/4 in. Some leaves removed. Original leatherette with envelope closure.

3. Manuscript diary. [Massachusetts], 1 January 1866–3 January 1867. 152 pages of manuscript entries, followed by 33 pages of accounting. 2 3/4 x 6 in. Original leatherette with envelope closure. Ownership inscription to front flyleaf: “George G. Tarbell / 45 Central St. / Lowell Mass. / Presented by / Mr. A. Bedell / Dec 30th 1865.”

George G. Tarbell (1840–1928), a young salesman from Pepperell, Massachusetts, appears to have kept a diary with remarkable regularity, writing daily and with evident dedication. Of particular interest are nine entries, dated 1–8 and 12 January 1862, which are written in cipher. In the first half of 1862, he records war news from afar, noting, among other events, the capture of Fort Henry, the “capture of Roanoke Island 3000 Rebels,” and that “one of the hardest Battles on record was fought on the 6th and 7th of this month near Corinth.”

On 4 August 1862, Tarbell notes that “Lincoln calls for 300,000 more troops,” and also comments on the draft. On 13 August, he writes, “War meeting at the drill #88. Agree to go if they get up a good company.” The effort proved successful, and on the last day of the month he recorded that he “was sworn in to the service of the U.S. for 9 months.” A little more than a week later, Tarbell and his comrades began their journey to the front, traveling by way of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia before arriving at Fortress Monroe aboard the “Connecticut, a splendid steamer,” on 14 September.

Especially noteworthy is Tarbell’s entry of 26 November 1862: “Game of foot ball in camp.” This appears to be a very early reference to the emerging American sport. Although forms of football had been played since at least the 1830s, especially on college campuses, the formalized rules of “Old Division Football” would not be published until 1871.

Although the 6th Massachusetts was not engaged in the war’s most famous battles, Tarbell frequently describes skirmishing and artillery fire experienced by the regiment. Several entries from late September and early October 1864 vividly describe the danger of active service: “Made Rifle Pits & got them done just in time to save ourselves from a terrible shelling. The Rebs threw from Gunboats & Forts…Continued shelling from the enemy. The enemy made a separate attempt to regain what they had lost. But did not succeed. They made 4 charges & lost heavily. We did not lose many. Gen. Stannard was wounded in the arm. Our loss was about 40 killed & wounded…Continued shelling from the rebs. They have planted a monitor to rake the Fort on our right. It was round all day long & we are wet to the skin.”

By 1866, Tarbell had returned to civilian life as a shopkeeper in Massachusetts. The third diary is especially interesting for documenting his early participation in the nascent Grand Army of the Republic. On 25 January, he notes that he “Saw chaplain Hanson and got a copy of the History of the 6th Regt.” Chaplain John Wesley Hanson (1823–1901), who had enlisted alongside Tarbell and served until October 1864, was the author of Historical Sketch of the Old Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. In March, Company G organized, and in May elections were held in which Tarbell was chosen and accepted the office of second lieutenant.

The 1866 diary also contains notable references to the Fenian movement and the developing Fenian Raids. Tarbell records the local excitement and recruitment efforts in a series of entries: “Great Fenian Rally at Huntington Hall. Col. O’Mahoney spoke” (12 March 1866); “More news from the Fenians, recruits are being sent from Lowell” (2 May 1866); “News of fighting on the border. Fenians doing better than expected” (4 June 1866); “More exciting news from the Front. Three car loads of recruits goin’ up to night. Great Fenian rally to night” (5 June 1866); and finally, “Fenians all coming home again being furnished transportation by U.S.” (8 June 1866).

Altogether, the diaries form a vivid and wide-ranging personal record, tracing Tarbell’s path from Massachusetts shop clerk to Union soldier and, finally, to veteran citizen in the first years of postwar remembrance.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Veterans, Veterans’ Organizations, Fraternal Organizations] [GAR, Grand Army of the Republic] [UCV, United Confederate Veterans, UDC, United Daughters of the Confederacy]