Erasmus E. Bassett. Diary, 1863.

Erasmus E. Bassett was a school teacher from Barrington, New York, near Dundee. He was a Color Sergeant for the 126th Regiment of N.Y. State Volunteers.

The last entries of his diary read:

Wednesday, July 1, 1863

Leave camp at 7. Go to Taneytown 6 ½ miles. Ordered back 3 miles then march within 5 miles of Gettysburg and stop for the night, been fighting at Gettysburg

Thursday, July 2, 1863

Start towards Gettysburg at 4 A.M. Arrive near town at 6 ¾ A.M. Form line of battle. 39th NY go out skirmishing, lose several...

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12 O’Clock at night I find my Brother Erasmus lying dead where I took this from his pocket.