Detailing the frontline service of Sergeant Joseph B. Corey, Co. "H," 34th Massachusetts Infantry. An 18 year-old resident of Stonebridge, Corey enlisted as a private for three years on July 19, 1862. His regiment initially helped garrison the defenses of Washington before taking to the field. During the second half of 1863 the 34th saw action in and around Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Later, the pivotal Virginia campaigns of 1864 would sorely test the regiment as it went up against Jubal Early in the Shenandoah Valley and Robert E. Lee in the hotly contested Richmond-Petersburg theater. Sergeant Corey survived the mayhem to muster out on June 16, 1865 and thereafter engaged himself in veterans' affairs. The Corey diary is wrapped in leather as made and contains three daily entires per side of each page. The account reads in small part: "(April 27)...The whole force in and around Washington was reviewed by General Sigel this afternoon...(May 15)...We deployed skirmished about 8 and the Rebs advanced on us in three lines. We retreated about one mile and formed a line of battle. They came up to us and we fired about 15 minutes and then we charged...(May 26)...Albert Blanchard was shot by George Hubbard by accident this morning. buried him under an apple tree...(June 13)...Hunter burned quite a number of public buildings this morning including the Military Institute...(June 21)...was ordered forward Double-quick, the Rebs having attacked our artillery. They took and destroyed 11 pieces...(July 20)...Heavy firing up by the river this morning...the six corps crossed over the river this morning and we crossed in the afternoon...the Rebs retreated towards Winchester...(August 18)...Sheridan has fallen back to Strasburg...(August 19)...no news from Sheridan or the Army of the Potomac. Early has been reinforced in the valley...(August 24)...500 paroled prisoners came into the city this morning from Richmond...(August 26)...Dress parade tonight for the first time in two months. They gave me an Enfield rifle this afternoon...(October 13)...Colonel Wells was killed in action today...(November 11)...Fired a hundred guns tonight in honor of old Abe - Nearly all of the camp was drunk...(November 26)...Col. Lincoln (actually, the president) went up to the regiment this afternoon...(December 2)...French Willy one of Mosbes (sic) men was hung up by the parapet this afternoon. The rope broke the first time and then they had to carry him uppon the scaffold..." Included with the diary is a CDV portrait identified on the back as Corey. This was probably taken upon enlistment as he is wearing early war brass shoulder scales.

6.75 x 3.25 in.

Leather remains supple; internal toning as expected. Good condition overall.

$600 - 1,200