Linda Knouse
Soldier's diary
Mon Jul 9 21:56:32 2001


As a member of my local historical association here in Pennsylvania, I have been doing micro-film research to find out about early industries from a local paper that goes back to 1873. During these searches, I have come across many articles about the Civil War, including one concerning the choosing of what statues to put where in Gettysburg.

The paper reprinted a confederate soldier's diary (in part) in hopes of locating the soldier and returning it to him. I have been searching for a year to find out what happened to this soldier. I hope to find out what happened to him (he DID survive the war), where he is laid to rest and what happened to the diary.

He was an educated man, quoting Latin and poetry in his diary, along with his thoughts about the war. I have searched many places on the internet and have had some good luck there; I have checked with the Virginia Military Institute, Preston Library, the Phila. Civil War Museum, ALICAT library catalog to Alabama libraries, a Carlisle, Pennsylvania military insitute, the national archives and the Alabama Archives plus many other places. Here are the bare bones of what I know about this soldier:

Name: Beverly B. Pierce, Quartermaster
Unit: Wilcox Alabama Brigade, 11th Infantry, Company C
County: Greene
Paroled at Appomattox
Born: 1843
Died: 1926
Buried: Jefferson County, Alabama
Diary: Dated: Headquarters, Ala. Brigade, Dec. 3, 1863
Size: 3" x 6"
On Cover: "A rebel's diary, taken from a captured train at the battle of Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865 by E.F. Hayes, a member of the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteers."

The diary was mentioned in the 2nd issue of The Confederate Veteran Magazine in the 1890's, by a Dr. Thomas W. Pierce, supposedly the father of this young soldier.

Things mentioned in his diary are:


"Yankees knocking away at Charleston."

George Davis of North Carolina

Attorney General Vice Watts'resignation

Mosby sends troops to Orange Court House
An attack on Mobile apprehended.

109 Yankee officers escape Libby Prison in Richmond.

Generals Forrest and Lee at Sherman's rear, capturing artillery and prisoners.

Kilpatrick makes his escape by way of Peninsula
Orders found on the dead about burning Richmond, killing president and cabinet.

Lincoln calls for 200,000 more troops, March 1864

General Grant appointed to command US forces.

General Wright mentioned

Govenor Brown mentioned.

Alex. Stephens mentioned.

Yankees cross Martin's Ford.

Forrest at Fort Pillow mentioned

Brisk skirmishing -- May 7, 1864

The Wilderness is covered with Yankee dead.

Encircling Petersburg. Grant is shelling the town.

Yankee cavalry trying to cut Confederate communications

Weldon, Petersburg and Southside roads tapped.

Gen. Hampton mentioned with Sheridan near Harrison's Landing on the James.

Price of gold mentioned.

National Democratic Peace Convention in Chicago

Johnston's army corps suffering with the heat.

Any ideas of where I could search for the diary or for Private Beverly B. Pierce ?