Sneden, Robert Knox, 1832-1918

Sneden was born in Nova Scotia and later moved to New York City, where, in the summer of 1861, he enlisted in the 40th New York Infantry Regiment, serving with the Army of the Potomac in Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days' Battles, and in Washington, D.C., as a topographical engineer on the staff of Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman. Captured by Mosby's Rangers in November 1863, he spent the next thirteen months as a prisoner of war in various Confederate prisons including Andersonville. Exchanged in December 1864, he was discharged and returned to New York City, where he compiled a diary/memoir and a scrapbook documenting his experiences. He died at the Soldiers Home in Bath, N.Y., in 1918.

From the description of Scrapbook, 1861-1899. (Virginia Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 48994747

Sneden was born in Nova Scotia and later moved to New York City, where, in the summer of 1861, he enlisted in the 40th New York Infantry Regiment. He served in Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days' Battles and in Washington, D.C., as a topographical engineer on the staff of Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman. Captured in November 1863, he spent the next thirteen months as a prisoner of war in various Confederate prisons. After his discharge he returned to New York City where he compiled this diary/memoir and a scrapbook of images documenting his experiences. He died at the Soldiers Home in Bath, N.Y., in 1918.

From the description of Diary, 1861-1865. (Virginia Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 48998992

Samuel Peter Heintzelman, whom Sneden served under, was headquartered at Fort Lyon, southwest of Alexandria. Heintzelman was in charge of the defense of Washington from 27 October 1862-13 October 1863.

From the description of Map of Alexandria, Virginia. (Virginia Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 48998879

Porter's Coprs was the 5th Corps of the U.S. Army of the Potomac.

From the description of Plan of the battle of Gaine's Mill, Virginia fought June 27th, 1862. / Copy of official map by engineers of Porter's Corps. (Virginia Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 48993058

The Mozart Regiment is another name for the 40th New York Regiment, U.S.A.

From the description of Plan of the redoubt and rifle pits ensilading [sic] the Leesburg and Fairfax turnpikes 2 miles from Alexandria, Virginia. : Built by the 38th, 40th N.Y. and 3rd Maine regiments during October and November 1861. / Planned and laid out by R.K. Sneden and Lt. Woodward and others of the 40th Mozart Regiment. (Virginia Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 48993054