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Preferred Citation:

Joseph Newell Diary, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Processing Information:

Accessioned and processed by Benjamin Bromley in May 2011.

Biographical Information:

Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .

Scope and Contents

Diary, 19 March 1862 to 24 August 1862, of Joseph Keith Newell, a captain of the 10th Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War. Diary runs from March to August of 1862, and describes the life of a Union soldier during the Peninsula Campaign. Describes his trip down the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Hampton, Virginia. Also includes a description of the Battle of Williamsburg, 5 May 1862, as well as his observations of the College of William & Mary. Newell also describes his participation in the Seven Days Battles and his time at Harrison's Landing, also known as Berkeley Plantation, in Charles City County, Virginia. Throughout the diary, Newell describes his interaction with slaves who were abandoned as the Union Army approached. There is also a typescript transcription of the complete diary.

Related Material

A Guide to Civil War Resources in the Special Collections Research Center

Information about related materials is available at http://guides.swem.wm.edu/civilwar

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• African Americans--History--19th century
• African Americans--Virginia--James City County
• African Americans--Virginia--Williamsburg
• College of William and Mary--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
• Diaries
• Slavery--Virginia--19th century
• Slavery--Virginia--History
• Slavery--Virginia--History--19th century
• Slavery--Virginia--Williamsburg--History--19th century.
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Diaries
• Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
• Williamsburg (Va.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
• Williamsburg, Battle of, Williamsburg, Va., 1862
• Yorktown (Va.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865