Two holograph manuscript pocket diaries kept by John G. White while living in rural Wisconsin and during his service in the United States Army in the Civil War. The first diary, 1859 Nov 25-1860 May [19], contains brief entries in which White describes farm work and social life in Mount Hope and Patch Grove, Grant County, Wisconsin. The second diary, 1863 Jan 1-Dec 31, contains brief entries describing White's service as a corporal in the 20th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, beginning after the 20th Regiment's participation in the Battle of Prairie Grove in 1862 Dec. White went to Patch Grove on recruiting service, Jan-Apr, and then returned to Camp Lake Spring, at Rolla Missouri. His regiment went to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in June, and he describes the siege and surrender of the city and subsequent movements of his regiment in Mississippi and Louisiana. In October his regiment went by steamer from New Orleans to Texas, remaining at Fort Brown near Brownsville through December. Entries are followed by his thoughts on his experiences in 1863, a list of soldiers with companies and tent numbers, and brief accounts and notes. This diary is written in a printed pocket diary published by James M. Crawford, Saint Louis, Missouri.
