Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
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The collection is open for research.
This collection has been digitized and is available online.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Alva Cleveland Diary, Ms2009-113, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Alva Cleveland Diary was purchased by Special Collections in June 2009.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Alva Cleveland Diary commenced and was completed in August 2009.
Alva Cleveland was born in Cherry Valley, New York, to Philo and Hannah (Miller) Cleveland, March 13, 1805. On January 24, 1831, he married Maria (Mary) Austin (b. 1809), in Skaneateles, New York. They had eight children: Elvira (Alvira) (b.1832), Edwin (1834-1835), Elvin (Alvin) (1836-1854), Mary (b. 1839), Henry Harrison (b. 1842), Emma (1844-1846), Sarah Maria (b. 1846), and George Washington (1849-1885). Between 1836 and 1840, the family moved to Cook County, Illinois. By 1849, they relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cleveland appears to have worked for the United States Postal Service in Wisconsin.
Cleveland and his two sons enlisted for Union service in the first years of the American Civil War. Cleveland, at the age
of 56, enlisted with Company E, 1
The 1
For further information on Wisconsin and the Civil War, see the Wisconsin Historical Society Library and Archives .
The collection contains Alva Cleveland's diary from March to July 1862 during the American Civil War. In the back pocket of the diary are several sewing needles and a lock of brown hair. The diary does not indentify whose hair it is.
Cleveland writes that he and George enlisted to "take up arms in defense of that liberty that our fathers fought to Establish (sic)." Due to his position as orderly, however, Cleveland appears to have done little actual fighting. He was most often at the rear of the regiment, tending to and assisting in moving the sick and wounded when the camp moved. He frequently writes of staying behind as the mobile portion of the regiment moves forward and, when they are separated, notes his concern for his young son.
Cleveland's diary entries are lengthy narratives on camp life, moving camps and marches, records of letters and money sent to and from home, and most commmonly, stories of people he meets along the way. He tells detailed stories of positive and negative encounters with Union and Confederate supporters. Although Cleveland prvides some accounts of skirmishes, he does not record any particular battles or battle reports.
Alva Cleveland's diary makes reference to a previous diary, kept in 1861. A transcript of this first diary, along with a photocopy of a portrait of Alva and George Washington Cleveland, is housed at the Wisconsin Historical Society. A brief description can be found online. The WHS also has the diaries of Henry Harrison Cleveland .
The guide to the Alva Cleveland Diary by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).