1862 Diary Of Civil War Soldier, Sergeant Edward Allen Goodwin, Killed April 16, 1862

EDWARD ALLEN GOODWIN (unknown-1862). Goodwin was the Sergeant in Company K of the 23rd Regular Massachusetts Volunteers. This is the diary of Edward A. Goodwin Co. K 23rd Regt. M. of. M. This diary is THE AMERICAN UNION DIARY FOR 1862, an annual published diary accessible, and likely provided, to Union soldiers during the Civil War. After a few pages that include a calendar and interest tables, the diary provides space for each day of the year 1862. Goodwin wrote entries every day from January 1st to April 7th, and none thereafter. At the time, Goodwin was serving in the 23rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, which was a part of the Coast Division under (truncated) General Ambrose Burnside. Entries are handwritten in either pencil or black ink. Notable entries include: a)Friday 7: Naval engagementplace lasting from noon till sunset. Troops were landedin the afternoon and evening. Bivouacked on Roanoke Island in the rain. b) Saturday 8: Captured a rebel battery in a swamp. Took 3000 rebel provisions, and the whole island wasSergt. Howard hurt his foot. W.S. Clark missing. Both entries describe the Battle of Roanoke Island, fought February 7th and 8th, 1862. Part of General Ambrose Burnsides expedition to capture key ports in the Outer Banks, the battle first saw Union gunboats first firing on Confederate forts under the command of Henry Wise until Burnsides soldiers could land ashore unopposed. and the forts on shore engaged in a gun battle, with occasional contributions from the Mosquito Fleet. The next day, the Union soldiers successfully flanked the Confederate artillery and infantry defenders on both sides, forcing a retreat into the Confederate forts. The forts were then individually taken, with the Union suffering only 264 casualties and capturing 2,500 Confederate defenders. c) Friday 14: Fought the battle of New Bern. Took over 100 pieces of artillery, ammunitioncamp equipment, &c. I arrived at night in the tents of the enemy. This entry describes the Battle of New Bern, fought on March 14th, 1862. After first advancing up the Trent River, General Burnside had his soldiers exploit the weakened center of the line of the defending Confederates under Lawrence O'B. Branch. This allowed the Union Navy to shell Fort Thompson, forcing its abandonment and, shortly thereafter, the city of New Bern too. 90 Union soldiers were killed, and 64 Confederates were killed and 413 were captured. d) Monday 31: Sick all day. Took horses.e) Monday 7: Saw Amoat the hospital. DeceasedRain in the afternoon. These two entries foreshadow Goodwins ultimate fate, including his last entry on April 7th, 1862. Goodwin would pass away in New Bern on April 16th. Having survived two major battles unscathed, at least according to his diary, Goodwin most likely succumbed to disease. It is estimated that 2/3 of Civil War soldiers who died during the war died of disease, not in battle. His body was ultimately returned to Massachusetts and is buried in Mansfield. The pages of the journal are in good condition, but the exterior of black leather is frayed and partially torn. It should be handled very delicately, but its value as a lens into the mindset of a Civil War soldier is immense. (Inventory #: 6252)