A diary entry of an African American soldier.
Dear Diary,
This is the first entry in this diary, so let's start off with my name. My name is James Henry Lawrence and today is March 17, 1863, my 37th birthday. I recently joined the Union army, after being freed from my master’s plantation. I ran away to a nearby Union fort, where I was enlisted and trained. I hope I will be able to bring those evil white men to justice someday. And I want to free other slaves that are in my former situation. I’m currently enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. We are camped not far from Fort wagner, and we are hoping to lead an attack soon. Conditions here are horrible. The water is unclean, and most of the soldiers in any regime die of illness. We are all sick in some way, and cannot risk getting shot. If we leave to go and scout our surroundings, we run the risk of being found and killed. If they do spare us, we are to returned to slavery. How awful! I have recently made the acquaintance of both Lewis and Charles Douglass. I have only heard of their father's accomplishments. How splendid he is! I always longed for the day we were to be liberated and when it came--how overjoyed I was! But there is sadder news on the horizon. We hear that other black regiments are not being received very well. They are being slaughtered, and returned to slavery, rather than being taken as prisoners of war. That will have to be all for today, I’m afraid. Hopefully I’ll live to see the end of this horrid war.
- J. H. L.
This is the first entry in this diary, so let's start off with my name. My name is James Henry Lawrence and today is March 17, 1863, my 37th birthday. I recently joined the Union army, after being freed from my master’s plantation. I ran away to a nearby Union fort, where I was enlisted and trained. I hope I will be able to bring those evil white men to justice someday. And I want to free other slaves that are in my former situation. I’m currently enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. We are camped not far from Fort wagner, and we are hoping to lead an attack soon. Conditions here are horrible. The water is unclean, and most of the soldiers in any regime die of illness. We are all sick in some way, and cannot risk getting shot. If we leave to go and scout our surroundings, we run the risk of being found and killed. If they do spare us, we are to returned to slavery. How awful! I have recently made the acquaintance of both Lewis and Charles Douglass. I have only heard of their father's accomplishments. How splendid he is! I always longed for the day we were to be liberated and when it came--how overjoyed I was! But there is sadder news on the horizon. We hear that other black regiments are not being received very well. They are being slaughtered, and returned to slavery, rather than being taken as prisoners of war. That will have to be all for today, I’m afraid. Hopefully I’ll live to see the end of this horrid war.
- J. H. L.