Guide to the William E. Walsh Civil War Diary, 1861-1865

Phillips Memorial Library
Archives and Special Collections
1 Cunningham Square
Providence, RI 02918
Tel: 401-865-2578
Fax: 401-865-1578
Email: pcarchives@providence.edu
Website: https://pml.providence.edu/

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title:	William E. Walsh Civil War Diary
Date range:	1861-1865
Creator:	Walsh, William E., 1832-1907
Extent:	1 box(es)
Abstract:	The William E. Walsh Civil War Diary contains an account of his experiences as a trooper in the 1st Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry during the American Civil War of 1861-1865. The account comments on the conditions of daily army life and the tragedy of the Civil War. In addition, a copy of Walsh's enlistment papers and a statement of his military service is included in the collection.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Phillips Memorial Library
Collection number:	rppc_walsh

Scope & content

The diary consists of thirty-one unnumbered pages written on both sides of sixteen sheets of stationary. The sheets, some including the Corporal's name and regiment and a regimental banner in the upper left comer, measure approximately 5" wide x 8" high.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Walsh, William E., 1832-1907

Subject Organizations

• United States. Army. Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment, 1st (1861-1865)

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island History Civil War, 1861-1865
• Rhode Island History 1775-1865
• United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Participation, Immigrant
• United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Personal narratives

Subject Topics

• Military

Document Types

• manuscripts
• transcripts

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into one series.

• Notes in Brief, 1861-1865

Biographical note

Enlisting in Providence, Rhode Island on December 2, 1861, as a private and mustering out on August 3, 1865, as a corporal, William E. Walsh's "Notes in Brief' is the centerpiece of the collection. Dated May 17, 1865, and based on memory and notes, this is the first reminiscence of an Irish immigrant serving in the Civil War to be uncovered in Rhode Island.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Collection is open for research by appointment. Materials do not circulate. Some materials may be restricted, for further information contact the Archives and Special Collections, Phillips Memorial Library, Providence College.
Use of the materials:	Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Phillips Memorial Library. Although Providence College has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	William E. Walsh Civil War Diary, Providence College, Phillips Memorial Library, Archives and Special Collections.
Contact information:	Phillips Memorial Library Archives and Special Collections 1 Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02918 Tel: 401-865-2578 Fax: 401-865-1578 Email: pcarchives@providence.edu Website: https://pml.providence.edu/

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	John C. Walsh, the grandson of William E. Walsh, donated the collection to Providence College in January 1974.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Jane M. Jackson.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Russell M. Franks 2008 November 11
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:	There are no known related materials.
Separated material:	No materials have been removed from this collection.

Inventory

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