An Artilleryman's Diary

Born to Welsh immigrants who braved a storm‑tossed Atlantic crossing, the diarist grew up in a humble log cabin on the rugged prairies of early Wisconsin. He recounts the hard‑won lessons of frontier life—felling trees, building a home from bark, and learning English from a bilingual teacher—while the landscape around him transformed from an “uninhabitable desert” into a thriving farm community. These formative years, marked by perseverance and a deep love for the promise of freedom, set the tone for his later reflections.

When the Civil War erupted, he enlisted as an artilleryman, carrying the same resolve that had guided his family across oceans and plains. His entries capture the rhythm of camp life, the roar of cannon fire, and the camaraderie among soldiers who shared a common cause. Through his eyes, listeners hear the raw sounds of battle, the quiet moments of doubt, and the steadfast hope that the Union’s cause might finally secure the liberty his parents had sought in a new world.