HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1087.AM: Abner James Hill, 1845-1925
Diaries: 1864-1870
Richardson County, Nebraska; Illinois: Civil War soldier
Size: Four volumes
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The collection consists of four diaries kept by Abner James Hill (who later changed his name to James A. Hill). In the 1864 and 1865 diaries, Hill writes about daily life as a Union soldier in the Civil War. The entries include information on camp life, battles, medical care, etc. He also lists clothing he received during the war as well as expenses he incurred. Also included is a discharge certificate for Hill.
In the 1867 diary, Hill recounts his travels from Norris, Illinois to Weatherford, Texas where he visited his brother, Joshua Hill. The diary entries give descriptions of the country and the destruction caused by the war. He mentions the treatment of the black people, the many immigrants that were on the steamboats, and the dangers of traveling. In October of 1867, Hill came to Richardson County, Nebraska to work in construction and soon purchased 80 acres of land. In the 1870 diary he describes his daily life in Richardson County, Nebraska and Norris, Illinois.
INVENTORY
Diaries, 1864-1870
Subject headings:
Hill Family
Hill, Abner James, 1845-1925
Hill, James A., 1845-1925
Hill, Joshua
Illinois. Infantry. 102nd Regiment, Co. F
Messler, Reuben
Military camps
Military life
Norris (Illinois) — History
Richardson County (Nebraska) — History
Texas — Description and travel
United States — History — Civil War, 1861-1865 — Personal narratives
Weatherford (Texas) — History
Revised TMM 05-03-2008