Name/Title
Diary of Joseph HumeDescription
Diary kept by Sgt. Joseph Hume of Massachusetts, killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 3, 1864, the bloodiest day of the battle which was when thousands of Union troops lost their lives as they stormed across an open field to be mowed down by a prepared Confederate Army.
Joseph Hume was a twenty-year-old mill hand who was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, and entered the “A Company”—MA 36th infantry—as a private on July 28, 1862. Hume was promoted to sergeant major as he traveled south from Boston to fight at the Battle of Cold Harbor.
Another Union soldier completed his diary on June 3 with the words, “Joseph received his death wound,” and the following day “Died in consequence of the above.” The diary was apparently on Hume’s person at the time of his death in light of the bloody stain in the left lower corner of the page.Condition
Overall Condition
FairDate Examined
Jul 10, 2026Create Date
July 10, 2026Update Date
September 16, 2026
