William J. Pittenger Diary
Scope and Content Information
This collection contains the diary of William J. Pittenger, a soldier serving in the 93rd Illinois Infantry and the U. S. Army Signal Corps during the Civil War. The diary's entries span the fist half of 1863 and touch on such matters as camp life, the U. S. Army's advance down the Mississippi River, and the siege of Vicksburg. (Pittenger made no entries for most of March 1863, as he was bedridden with smallpox). The diary also contains names and addresses of Pittenger's comrades, records of financial transactions, and a list of soldiers from Co. D, 93rd Illinois Infantry killed at Champion Hill. The diary is accompanied by a 1957 newspaper article about Pittenger and his diary.
Dates
- Creation: 1863 - 1863
Creator
- Pittenger, William, 1838-1896 (Person)
Access
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the William J. Pittenger Diary must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical/Historical Information
William J. Pittenger, son of Abraham and Elizabeth Gladfelter Pittenger, was born in Ohio in 1838. While working as a Missouri schoolteacher in 1862, Pittenger enlisted in Company D of the 93rd Illinois Infantry. In February 1863, he was assigned to the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Pittenger contracted small pox one month later but resumed duties in April and participated in the siege of Vicksburg and, later, in Sherman's march to the sea. He mustered out with his regiment in June, 1865. In 1867, Pittenger married Ella Shafer (1850-1899); the couple would have five children. In 1879, the Pittengers moved from Illinois to Wichita, Kansas, where William Pittenger became a prominent farmer. A member of the I. O. O. F., Pittenger served as a member of the local school board and as a township trustee. He died in 1896, and is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Sources:
History of the State of Kansas(Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1883).
"Civil War Diary Bares Vivid Story" - Wichita Eagle Magazine,January 6, 1957.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Diary of soldier serving in the 93rd Illinois Infantry and the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Entries cover day-to-day activities, the Union advance down the Mississippi River, and the siege of Vicksburg. Accompanied by a 1957 newspaper article about the diary.
Acquisition Information
The William J. Pittenger Diary was donated to the Special Collections in 2001.
Alternative Form
The Special Collections Imagebasecontains digital images of the diary and accompanying newspaper article.
General Physical Description note
1 container; 0.1 cu. ft.
- Title
- A Register of the William J. Pittenger Diary 1863
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- © 2003 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu