Daeuble, John (1839-1864) Diaries, 1861-1864
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: John Daeuble, 1839-1864
Title: Diaries, 1861-1864
Rights: For information regarding the literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.
Size of Collection: 0.33 cubic feet
Location Number: Mss./A/D123
Scope and Content Note
Collection includes two journals, two diaries, and a book of songs and poetry belonging to John Daeuble, a German soldier in the 6 th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Most materials are in German, although two of the diaries have been transcribed and translated in English. Daeuble’s 26 October 1863 – 27 May 1864 diary is published in Joseph Reinhart’s Two German’s in the Civil War: The Diary of John Daeuble and the Letters of Gottfried Rentshler, 6 th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. The majority of this collection has been digitized. To view PDF scan, click on the link provided in the folder list below.
Generally, Daueble’s diaries provide excellent documentation of troop movements and camp conditions. He mentions the amount of rations the soldiers received and their morale. He also describes battles in some detail. Included in some of the journals and diaries are itemized lists of clothing and other supplies purchased for other soldiers in the regiment.
Daeuble served in a company that consisted mostly of other Germans and so his diary is particularly illustrative of the experience of Germans in the Civil War.
Biographical Note
John Daeuble was born on December 28, 1839 in Muhlheim in the German Kingdom of Wurttemberg. He was one of thirteen children. Daeuble immigrated to the U.S. in 1854 and settled in Louisville’s German community. In Louisville, Daeuble and his brother worked as painters. On December 24, 1861, Daeuble mustered into the 6 th Kentucky Infantry as a private at Camp Sigel near Louisville. He was promoted to Corporal in February of 1862 and Sergeant in May of 1862. Daeuble fought at Shiloh, Stones River (where he was shot through his heel), Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and in Georgia before he suffered a fatal gunshot wound on May 27 th and died a day later.
Folder List
Folder 1: Journal, 30 December 1861-19 February 1863 (original with English transcription) The narrative section ends in February 1863 although there are other materials from a later date.
Folder 2: Journal, 2 August 1862 (in German). Written while on picket duty near Camp Brown on the Elk River in Tennessee.
Folder 3: Diary, November 1862-May 1863 (in German). Includes scattered entries, poems, and other misc. information.
Folder 4: Diary, 26 October 1863-27 May 1864 (original with English transcription). Includes daily entries during the period.
Folder 5: Book of songs and poetry, undated, (in German)
Subject Headings
Chattanooga, Battle of, Chattanooga, Tenn., 1863
Daeuble, John, 1839-1864 – Diaries
Daeuble, John, 1839-1864
Diaries
German Americans – Kentucky – Diaries
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845 – Tomb
Kentucky – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Participation, German American
Louisville (Ky.) – History – Civil War, 1861-1865
Missionary Ridge, Battle of, Tenn., 1863
Resaca (Ga.), Battle of, 1864
Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862
Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Desertions
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Equipment and supplies
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Personal narratives
United States. Army. Kentucky Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1864)