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Description

The Civil War diary of Capt. Charles Roush provides valuable insight into the life of a Union soldier who marched in 1861 and 1862 through the rolling hills of Maryland and Virginia, ending at the battle of South Mountain, where Roush was injured, just a couple of days prior to Antietam.

His diary relates the dreariness of war. Disease was arguably a far more potent adversary than the Southern troops. Winter brought bad weather, much sickness, as well as McCellan’s infamous forced “promenade” through northern Virginia.

In May 1862, after returning from a long march, Roush encountered two special visitors to his camp: the President and Secretary of War. Lincoln also appeared at Roush’s station a second time. Nevertheless, Roush quickly lost his interest for war. His diary relates that he was “opposed to a political abolition war.” His diary contained constant references to his poor health.

At one point, he noted, “he had no provisions for 3 days.” In September Roush suffered the injury that ended his Civil War career. A musket ball struck him in the foot. Unbeknownst to Roush, the injury spared him from the rigors of the bloody battle of Antietam.

Publication Date

2000

Keywords

Civil War, Charlels D. Roush

Disciplines

Military History | United States History

The Civil War Days of Captain Charles D. Roush: Company B, 6th Pennsylvania Regiment Reserves

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