Beschreibung:

4 diaries; 5 items. 1858-1885. A veteran of the famous 2nd Virginia Infantry and the 12th Virginia Cavalry, Seth Timberlake (1833-1907) was wounded in both legs at the First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas on July 21, 1861 while serving with the 2nd Virginia. After recuperating at home in Winchester, Timberlake chose to enlist as a sergeant in the 12th Virginia Cavalry. At 29, Timberlake was older than many of his comrades and was nicknamed the "Fighting Sergeant" and "Uncle Seth," and was reputed to have had a horse killed beneath him at Front Royal. Of the four diaries in this collection, two cover the period of Timberlake's service with the 12th Virginia Cavalry: July-Sept., 1864, and Feb.-Oct. 1865. The diary for 1864 (actually an 1863 diary recast as 1864) begins with a mention of the failed Petersburg Mine Expedition, which Timberlake could hear, and continues through the capture of Stoneman’s raiders. During a raid planned for Macon, Georgia and the Andersonville Confederate Prison Camp designed by Union General George Stoneman, he was captured on July 31, 1864, thus suffering the distinction of being the highest-ranking officer that the Confederates captured during the war. In an entry dated Aug. 3, Timberlake writes of the capture: Up early. Major Wolf gets Petersburg papers. Stonemans capture 75 officers, 500 men. The following day, Timberlake mentions regiment drills being run by Captain Emanuel Sipe, who was subsequently taken as a POW in March of 1865 at Mt. Jackson, Virginia and was confined at Fort Delaware. The 1864 diary also includes much of life in the saddle: Aug. 15: Sure enough about three oclock bugle sounds to saddle & we are soon mounted & off on back track bound for Richmd. Get to Ashland and remain for several hours, had to ride in ambulance for first time; ball at Ashland. About night mount & march as far as head of Brook Turnpike. Aug. 18: Mount & march across Whiteoak Swamp. Various rumors afloat; men in the Yankee picket; dismount sharpshooters; slight skirmish. O.P.H. wounded. Wm Light killed… Aug. 21: Ordered to take long-ranged guns. Boys very reluctant to take them. Regt ordered out on picket. Remain in camp to change gun &c. take a good wash & put on clean clothes.... In Timberlake’s entries dating from August 23-26, he discusses his activities surrounding the Second Battle of Ream’s Station, which was fought on August 25th, 1864 during the Siege of Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory, with over 34,000 casualties on both sides. A Union force under the command of Major General Winfield Hancock began destroying part of the Weldon Railroad, which was a vital supply line for General Lee’s army in Petersburg. Lee sent a force under Lieutenant General A.P. Hill to challenge Hancock and the Confederates were able to rout the Union troops from their fortifications at Ream’s Station. However, at the same time, the Confederates lost a key portion of the railroad, causing more logistical challenges for the remainder of the Richmond-Petersburg campaign. On Aug. 25, Timberlake writes: move in direction of Sony Creek. Rumors of an attack to drive the yanks from Ream Station. After considerable flank turn toward Ream…arrive at R. Road. Captn. Sipe comdg; regt dismounted; again in charge led horses; combined attack by Genl Hill (A.P.) & Cavly (successful) reg’t stay in trenches all night; dark as dungeon… The following day, he adds: Ordered on Reconnaissance. Find Yank Picket about two miles, run them in. Pretty spunky fellows... Yanks pour a brisk fire after us... In a Sept. 11th entry, Timberlake makes reference to the burial of Capt. Wilson of the 11th Regiment, buried with honors of war. This was almost certainly Captain James B. Wilson of the 11th Virginia Cavalry, who was wounded at Ream’s Station on August 22, and probably died as a result of those wounds. The diary also includes a long description of engagement and cavalry charge on Sept. 16,