Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the George H. Marshall diary must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

George H. Marshall Diary, Ms2008-001 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Acquisition Information

The George H. Marshall Diary was purchased by Special Collections in 2008.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the George H. Marshall Diary commenced and was completed in January 2008.

Biographical Information

George H. Marshall of Company K, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, was born in Pennsylvania, ca. 1835. The son of Sarah Marshall, he lived in Chester County before enlisting as a private in Company K of the 3rd on February 23, 1864. He was promoted to full artificer on September 3, 1865. After the mustering out of his regiment at Fort Monroe, Marshall returned to Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he recommenced working as a carpenter. Survived by his wife, Ruth, Marshall died on March 19, 1919 and is buried in the Romansville, Pennsylvania Friends Burial Ground.

The 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery was organized in Philadelphia by consolidation of Segebarth's Battalion of Marine Artillery and the 1st Battalion, Pennsylvania Artillery, with two additional companies formed in Philadelphia. The regiment was ordered to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, serving at times in Graham's Naval Brigade and engaging Confederate forces on the James, Chickhominy and Nansemond rivers. The regiment was mustered out of service at Fort Monroe on November 9, 1865.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the diary of George H. Marshall, a soldier in Company K, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery during the Civil War. The diary contains short entries spanning one year, beginning with Marshall's enlistment on February 24, 1864. The diary's early entries cover Marshall's enlistment and the movement of his regiment. Later entries, made from Fort Monroe, Virginia, at which the 3rd113th was stationed, relate to the daily routines of Marshall, his regiment, and the fort. Marshall notes such details as the weather, the condition of his health, and his correspondence but also makes mention of prisoners of war, African American troops, the wounded, and skirmishes with the Confederates.

Index Terms

Subjects:

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