William Tufts, 4th Maine Infantry- His Diaries 1862-64 Assigned To Professor Lowe’s Balloon Corps

William Tufts, Company “F” 4th Maine Infantry- His Diaries 1862-64.  Assigned To Professor Lowe’s Balloon Corps, Tufts enlisted as a private  on June 15, 1861, from Belfast, Maine.  He was captured during the Battle of 2nd Bull Run on August 8, 1862, and paroled some time after.  He was treated for sickness,  then did guard duty some time at Lincoln General Hospital. Tufts mustered out of the 4th Maine, into Co. “K” 1st regiment Invalid Corps, and was discharged in June, and arrives in Belfast, Maine on the 21st.

I have transcribed (in Tufts somewhat phonetic style) only the 1862 Diary. Throughout the three diaries, he uses both pencil and pen, and fills up nearly every day entries over his three years of service. Living near the Atlantic coast, Tufts begins most days with a brief weather report, and gives the wind gauge. From the beginning to April 5, 1862, are typical accounts from camp life, guard and picket duty, clothing and arms issue, inspections and drill, and more every day events …. On April 6th, Tufts is detailed to Professor Lowe’s balloon detail, with 23 other men from the 4th Maine Infantry, and gives good account of his duties with the balloons. Although not really a part of the “Balloon Corps,” the Mainers do the everyday moving, maintenance, ground prep, hold ropes, filling gas in tanks then transferring that gas to the balloons, and much more.  During this time he is good about mentioning Prof. Lowe, the generals, a reporter/ artist who went up in the balloons, and the incidents during those flights, rebel movements, fighting, all the locations the balloons are moved to, etc.  The rebels use the balloons for target practice, but manage to hit the camp sites, and create a general disturbance.

Abraham Lincoln and General Scott visit on July 8, on a 100 degree day to see the troops.  Wounding and deaths of the balloon detail are recorded, as well as news of casualties of other men in the regiment, mention of other state troops involved with the balloons.  On September 1st, 1862, he gets separated from the regiment and is captured near Culpepper and Fairfax. He describes his confinement with the rebels, conditions, more, and then paroled near December.  On August 13th, 1862, Tufts is returned to the regiment.During the time of capture and into 1863, he becomes quite sick and spends time in Lincoln general Hospital (both patient and later a guard), then musters with the 1st Invalid Corps. Tufts still keeps up with news of the regiment and the war in general, guarding confederate prisoners, some time away to visit Washington seeing the Cities sites, visits the White House and shakes hands with (“Old Abe” President Lincoln).  He arrives home June 21, 1864.

Obviously there is far far more than recorded in this brief description. The 3 x 5 note cards can give you a descent look on what the three diaries contain.  Photographs are from downloads from the Library of Congress.

The ’62 diary leather cover shows a good deal of wear, part of the cover and closing extension missing,  the other two are very good with typical wear.  All are complete.

The 1862 diary is the most important relating to his service with the Balloon Corps, and this account goes well into describing his daily activities.  A great account of his service