Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User information
Biographical sketch
Scope and Content note
Cataloguing information
Processed by
Charles Latham
21 January 1994
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 2 small volumes
COLLECTION DATES: 1861-1865
PROVENANCE: George Edwin Hoke, Mercer Island WA, 7 January 1994
RESTRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: Check card catalog for numerous entries for 33rd Regiment
ACCESSION NUMBER: 94.0362
A note in the front of one of these diaries apparently indicates that John Francis Gilles was born in Antwerp, Belgium. He served in the 33rd Indiana Volunteer Regiment during its entire service from 16 September 1861 till 21 July 1865. He was listed as a private in Terrell's record, but was mustered out as a first sergeant. Gilles enlisted from Knox County, Indiana, and his company was commanded by officers from Freelandville and Edwardsport in that county.
The 33rd regiment served in Kentucky and then in Tennessee under Rosecrans. During the Atlanta campaign, it saw constant action on the left wing of Sherman's army, losing three hundred men. Later it served in Savannah, and in the closing months of the war it worked its way up through the Carolinas, fighting at Averysboro and Bentonville before finally reaching Richmond.
This collection consists of two small diaries, entitled "Travels of the 33rd regiment of Indiana volunteers, by Mr. John F. Gilles of Company B." Entries are in pencil and pen, both badly faded and very small. There are daily entries for the entire four years service of the regiment.
MAIN ENTRY: Gilles, John Francis
SUBJECT ENTRIES: Gilles, John Francis--Diaries
United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 33rd 1861-1865). Company B
Soldiers--Indiana--Knox County
Atlanta Campaign, 1864
Belgian Americans--Indiana--Knox County
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
Indiana--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
Georgia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Participation, Immigrant
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