Shelly Diary

Web Author's Notes:
Images of the diary of Pvt. Peter Shelly were submitted to this website by Jon Fackler, great great grandson of the soldier. Excerpts were transcribed from the diary by the web author and reflect the actual diary text as accurately as possible. It should be noted that the 16th OVI left Morganza, Louisiana, on October 6, 1864, bound for home and mustering out of the regiment but Pvt. Shelly, along with others from the regiment, stayed in Morganza and were transferred to the 114th OVI. This is because they enlisted into the 16th OVI later than most of the regiment and had time left on their three year term of service. Also, please note that Peter Shelly was listed in various Civil War-era documents as Peter Shelby and is entered into the 16th OVI searchable database on this website as such (Shelby).

Page 19 - January 8 to March 25, 1865

January 8th A.D. 1865

Left Morganza on the Boat Thomas

January 9th 1865

Landed at Kenner near New Orleans.

January 24th

Left Kenner crossed Lake Ponchertrain and arrived at Pensacola Bay on the 27th and landed at Barrancas, Flor. the same day.

March 11th 1865

Left Barrancas and march to Pensacola arrived there the same day.

March 20th

Left Pensacola to go on an expedition.

March 25th

Captured 100 Prisones.

Page 20 - April 2 to April 11, 1865

April 2nd 1865

Arrived near Blakely and found the enemy strongly fortified. Our Regt. skirmished all day.

April 3.

Took our position in line and threw works continued skirmishing and digging Rifle Pitts.

April 9th

Were ordered at 5 P.M. to make a charge. The assault was made and carried Capturing 3000 Prisoners and 46 Pieces of Artillery.

[Note: The Battle of Fort Blakely, Alabama, occurred a few hours after the surrender of General Robert E Lee at Appomattox, and is considered the last battle of the Civil War.]

April 11th

Went into Camp near Blakely.