1863 pocket diary published by Denton & Wood, Cambridgeport, MA, 1863. Standard black leatherette book, 4.75” x 3, w/front flap & back pocket, plus carte de visite of his wife Emma Neff—back-mark “Gill’s City Gallery, Lancaster, PA.”

The diary exhibits wear at the extremities, plus detached front cover.

CDV features dim bust portrait of attractive young woman w/slight tinted cheeks

Jefferson Neff was a 31 year old resident of Strasburg, PA, commissioned Captain, Co. “G”, 122^nd PA Infantry, 8/11/1862. He died of disease in Falmouth, VA, 4/21/1863.

Neff’s brief diary commences Friday February 20, 1863, and ends April 15^th, six days before his death. The 122^nd NY “Onondagas” Regiment mustered into service 8/28/1862. Attached to the 6th Army Corps, the unit served participated in all the major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, Gettysburg included, from Antietam on, with detached service with Sheridan’s Army of the Shenandoah in the summer and fall of 1864, engaged in the repulse of Gen. Early at Ft. Stephens and the Battles of Winchester, Fisher’s Hill and Cedar Creek, returning to the AOP for the concluding Appomattox Campaign. During service the 122^nd lost 91 men killed and mortally wounded and 88 by disease for a total of 179.

This Diary is of interest in documenting how a soldier’s health could quickly deteriorate. Captain Neff’s first entry—February 21^st—notes that he “Rec’d this book from Lieut. Long who brought it for me from home.” Then backtracks to the day before, Feb. 20, and pens a most interesting entry, as follows:

“I weighed before going out on picket, with knapsack & overcoat and haversack 176 pounds. Without overcoat and above extras I weighed 141 pounds, same morning, weight of extra load 141 pounds.”

Apparently in good health on Feb. 20, the first sign of poor health surfaces in his February 27 entry:

“I feel quite weak, with shifting pains (not severe) through different parts of the body…slight headache.”

On March 3^rd he mentions taking “some pills”, and on March 6^th that “My Co. is on picket. I am not well enough so remain in camp,” and then on March 7^th that “I am yet unwell. The doctor thinks I am better he is changing the medicine.”

On March 17^th he goes out with Company for a troop review by Gen. Sickles, “first time since sick.”

All the while he writes to his young wife Emma (18 years old), and feeling much better goes on furlough home to see her and family, March 25^th to April 5^th. Back in camp, report reports the that “the boys are apparently glad to see him, and him them.

On April 7^th he states that he has “got quite well, without overcoat is back to 141 ¼ pounds—old weight before taking sick.”

On April 9^th he visits Colonel Berdan’s Sharpshooter camp and report the colonel striking the white of a handkerchief with a 20 pound rifle at 630 yards. Watches foot races, sack races and men climbing greased poles. “A great day.”

On April 12^th,,however, his handwriting deteriorates as he reports “In after noon feel very hot in head, irritating. I get chills and am unwell.”

On April 13, he reports felling rather better, and yet chills have not entirely left.” And on the 14^th that “I feel no better yet, violent headache all day. Send for Dr. in the evening, he does not come.” And on the 15^th that he “Quite unwell yet. Start for camp in an ambulance.”

The rest is silence, and on the 21^st, slightly two weeks since seeing his wife on furlough he is dead.

A poignant reminder that during the Civil War death by disease could come with lightning swiftness and could be quite as saddening, if not more so, than death in battle. It is also worth noting that Captain Neff was highly regarded by his regiment and that his hometown Strasburg GAR Post No. 406 was named after him.

Superb memento of a gallant officer of the 122^nd NY Infantry brought down by disease. In protective sleeve, includes a brief amount of research material. [jp] [ph:L]

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