Life in Southern Prisons From the Diary of Corporal Charles Smedley, of Company G, 90th Regiment Penn'a Volunteers, Commencing a Few Days Before the "Battle of the Wilderness", In Which He Was Taken Prisoner ... Also, a Short Description of the March to and Battle of Gettysburg, Together with a Biographical Sketch of the Author

Through the steady hand of a young Union corporal, this diary transports listeners to the heart of the Civil War’s darkest months. Beginning just days before the frantic clash at the Wilderness, the entries follow his sudden capture and the grueling months spent in Southern prisons, including the infamous Andersonville camp. He records towering fences, scarce food, and small acts of kindness that kept hope flickering among the inmates.

Beyond the prison narrative, the diary offers a concise account of the march to Gettysburg and the fierce battle that turned the tide of the war, giving listeners a quick yet vivid sense of that pivotal moment. It concludes with a brief biographical sketch that traces his Pennsylvania upbringing, Quaker schooling, and involvement in reform societies, revealing the values that guided him before he took up arms. Together, these elements provide personal testimony and broader historical context, making the material an intimate window into the human side of the conflict.