Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to research.

Alternative Form

The Special Collections Imagebasecontains digital images of the diary and accompanying newspaper article.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William J. Pittenger Diary, Ms2001-064, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The William J. Pittenger Diary was donated to the Special Collections in 2001.

Biographical Note

William J. Pittenger, son of Abraham and Elizabeth Gladfelter Pittenger, was born in Ohio in 1838. While working as a Missouri schoolteacher in 1862, Pittenger enlisted in Company D of the 93rd Illinois Infantry. In February 1863, he was assigned to the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Pittenger contracted small pox one month later but resumed duties in April and participated in the siege of Vicksburg and, later, in Sherman's march to the sea. He mustered out with his regiment in June, 1865. In 1867, Pittenger married Ella Shafer (1850-1899); the couple would have five children. In 1879, the Pittengers moved from Illinois to Wichita, Kansas, where William Pittenger became a prominent farmer. A member of the I. O. O. F., Pittenger served as a member of the local school board and as a township trustee. He died in 1896, and is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Sources:

History of the State of Kansas(Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1883).

"Civil War Diary Bares Vivid Story" - Wichita Eagle Magazine,January 6, 1957.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the diary of William J. Pittenger, a soldier serving in the 93rd Illinois Infantry and the U. S. Army Signal Corps during the Civil War. The diary's entries span the fist half of 1863 and touch on such matters as camp life, the U. S. Army's advance down the Mississippi River, and the siege of Vicksburg. (Pittenger made no entries for most of March 1863, as he was bedridden with smallpox). The diary also contains names and addresses of Pittenger's comrades, records of financial transactions, and a list of soldiers from Co. D, 93rd Illinois Infantry killed at Champion Hill. The diary is accompanied by a 1957 newspaper article about Pittenger and his diary.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Diaries

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the William J. Pittenger Diary by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).