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George L. Childress Diaries (Digitized Content)

4 Items Full Collection Description

The digitized content of the George L. Childress Diaries consists of duplicate 163-page typescripts of George L. Childress' diaries from January 1, 1862 through July 10, 1865. Childress, who served in Company I, 66th Volunteer Infantry, recorded his daily life in the army in his diaries.

George L. Childress was from Bridgeport, Illinois. From the age of 22, Childress served in Company I, 66th Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered in November 1861, at Benton Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri, and reenlisted as a veteran in 1863. Company I was mustered out in July 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.

The digitized content contains a 163-page typescript of George L. Childress' diaries in which he recorded his daily life in the army from January 1, 1862 to July 10, 1865. He described battles and skirmishes as well as camp life and marching. His unit fought at Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, and in the Atlanta campaign. Childress also recorded a list of items that he purchased while on duty.

The Illinois History and Lincoln Collections unit at the University of Illinois Library manages the physical items of the George L. Childress Diaries (MS 536). The collection was completely digitized in 2018. For more information, contact an archivist at ihlc@library.illinois.edu.

Typescript of Diary Entries for 1863 — 0536_2_1863-001.tif