Typed transcription of the diary of Oscar Gassett, a Civil War soldier serving in the 56th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, Company A, and a photocopy of his autobiographical reminiscences, written at a later date in a letter to regimental historian Eben W. Pike. The diary contains brief, almost daily entries from 1 Jan.-31 Dec. 1864, describing the activities of Gassett and his regiment; visits, letters, supplies, and duties at camp; skirmishes with the Confederate Army; injuries and deaths; the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, and North Anna (all in Virginia) in May 1864; his capture and detention at Libby, Pemberton, Danville, Andersonville, Savannah, and Millen Prisons; daily rations, illnesses, and prisoner exchanges; encounters with African American prisoners; his parole in November 1864; and his return to Boston. The diary was transcribed and extensively annotated by Christina E. Dent in July 2003. The original is located at the New England Civil War Museum. The autobiographical letter to Eben W. Pike provides a more detailed account of the Battle of North Anna, including Union Army deaths and Gassett's own capture, 24 May 1864; the march to Libby Prison, 25-26 May 1864; his illness at Libby; the trips to Danville and Andersonville Prisons; brutality by the guards; rations; and deaths and illnesses at Andersonville.
