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James B.C. Vale, Soldier, Journal Regarding West Virginia 4th Infantry, Company D, in the Civil War

 Collection
Collection Number: A&M 3593

Overview

Journal authored by James B.C. Vale of Company D, West Virginia 4th Infantry. Compiled in 1891 from a diary kept during the Civil War, it records in some detail operations of his unit in the period June 27, 1861 (when he enlisted) to October 31, 1862. It consists of an introduction (page 1), muster roll (pages 2-5, including names, ranks, enlistement dates, and notes), and narrative (pages 6-15). The narrative regards campaigns in western Virginia, mostly in the vicinity of the Kanawha Valley, in 1861 and 1862, including considerable detail regarding troop movements. Subjects include disease (measles), fighting, military maneuvers, reconnaissance, skirmishing, weather, etc; locations mentioned include Camp Piatt, Point Pleasant, Fort Lightburn, Big Sandy River, Tug Fork, the McDowell Court House, Sissonville, and Ravenswood, among other locations and geographic features. There is brief mention of the 34th Ohio Zouaves under Colonel Piatt. There are also three uncited clippings, including one listing West Virginia units that served during the Civil War, one regarding the Vicksburg campaign, and a third regarding Camp Ford Prison in Texas. James B.C. Vale was born in Meigs County, Ohio, on October 18, 1840.

Dates

  • Creation: 1861-1862

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (Summary: 1/2 in. (1 ledger))

Physical Location

West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Title
James B.C. Vale, Soldier, Journal Regarding West Virginia 4th Infantry, Company D, in the Civil War, 1861-1862
Author
Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository

Contact:
1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown WV 26506-6069 US
304-293-3536