A Civil War Diary

In the summer of 1864 John W. Howell of Millerstown, Pennsylvania was a carriage maker. Two weeks later he was in a Union camp with the Pennsylvania 208th Infantry on the James River in Virginia. This is his personal account of events and battles happening around him. He mustered into the Army as a Musician. During battles musicians were assigned to the company surgeon and served as litter bearers and administered basic first aid to the soldiers. Muc. Howell served the Army of the Potomac from September of 1864 until General Lee surrendered and the 208th mustered out on June 1, 1865.