]
]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
Expand/collapse
Collection Overview
| Size | 1 item |
| Abstract | Mahlon D. Cushman, a Union soldier during the Civil War, served as a private in Company I of the 16th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 1862-1864. As part of the Union garrison at Plymouth, N.C., the 16th Connecticut, with the 18th Army Corps, defended against a Confederate land and naval attack, 17-20 April 1864. On 20 April 1864, the Union garrison at Plymouth surrended, and Cushman was sent to the Andersonville Prison at Camp Sumter, Ga. He was paroled in November 1864 and discharged with disability in June 1865. The collection consists of the 1864 pocket diary of Civil War soldier Mahlon D. Cushman. The diary documents Cushman's capture by Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Plymouth and subsequent imprisonment in Andersonville Prison. Daily entries are typically brief, generally indicating weather conditions and occasionally diet. Entries of note include the 20 April 1864 surrender at Plymouth, the journey southward, and 2 May 1864 arrival at Andersonville Prison. Brief entries tell of many hundreds of prisoners coming into the prison and the deaths of prisoners. On 26 November 1864, Cushman recorded his parole and, on 5 December 1864, his arrival in Annapolis, Md. |
| Creator | Cushman, Mahlon D. |
| Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
| Language | English |
Expand/collapse
Information For Users
Expand/collapse
Processing Information
Expand/collapse
Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
Expand/collapse
Biographical Information
Mahlon D. Cushman, a Union soldier during the Civil War, served as a private in Company I of the 16th Connecticut Infantry Regiment from 1862 to 1864. Enlisting on 11 August 1862, Cushman joined his company on 24 August 1862. As part of the Union garrison at Plymouth, N.C., the 16th Connecticut, with the 18th Army Corps, defended against a Confederate land and naval attack, 17-20 April 1864. On 20 April 1864, the Union garrison at Plymouth surrended, and the Union soldiers there become known as "Plymouth Pilgrims."
Like other captured enlisted men and non-commissioned officers, Cushman was sent to Andersonville Prison located at Camp Sumter, Ga. According to his diary, he arrived at Andersonville on 2 May 1864. After three months of imprisonment, Cushman was parolled on 26 November 1864. He was discharged from the Union Army with disability on 8 June 1865.
Back to Top
Expand/collapse
Scope and Content
The collection consists of the 1864 pocket diary of Civil War soldier Mahlon D. Cushman serving with the 16th Connecticut Infantry Regiment. The diary documents Cushman's capture by Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Plymouth in Plymouth, N.C., and subsequent imprisonment in Andersonville Prison in Georgia. Daily entries are typically brief, generally indicating weather conditions and occasionally diet. Entries of note include the 20 April 1864 surrender at Plymouth, the journey southward, and 2 May 1864 arrival at Andersonville Prison. Brief entries tell of many hundreds of prisoners coming into the prison and the deaths of prisoners. In the back of the diary, Cushman listed by name eleven soldiers from the 16th Connecticut who died while imprisoned Andersonville. On 26 November 1864, Cushman recorded his parole and, on 5 December 1864, his arrival in Annapolis, Md.
Back to Top