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Civil War Diary of J. W. Ryland 

(Courtesy of Stuart V. Price. Discussed at VIS 2015 conference)

This transcribed and annotated diary holds a wealth of valuable details regarding John William Ryland (1836-1905), who enlisted in Company K, 34th Virginia Infantry Regiment; his service as a spiritual leader there led to his postwar civilian calling as a Baptist minister.  

 

Topics include the creation of the Confederate States of America; rail cars; the Siege of Charleston, SC; the Siege of Petersburg; the Battle of Sailors Creek (Amelia County, VA); the surrender at Appomattox Court House; and the weary Confederate trek home following April 9, 1865.

  • Part I: September 1863 to May 6, 1864, with editor’s introduction

  • Part II: May 10, 1864 to September 1865, with editor’s notes

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This transcription and notes were created by Stuart Price, a descendant.​ In the future, we hope to present a digitized copy of the diary.

 

The University of Virginia holds a microfilm copy of two related diaries penned 1863–1865 by Lieutenant Josiah and Thomas Ryland.  These diaries are relevant and linked to this diary: the first entry in the J.W. Ryland diary is, “New Year’s present from Cousin Josiah, 1864.”
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Josiah Ryland obtained several pocket-sized booklets he distributed to family members from King and Queen County.
Unfortunately Josiah became a prisoner of war held at Fort
Delaware while John W. Ryland continued his service until
the surrender at Appomattox.
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Grave site of the Rev. John W. Ryland and his wife. (Feb 5, 2014)

See also Stuart Price, "The Church: One of the First Military Veterans Organizations."  Veterans in Society 2015: Race and/or Reconciliation (conference proceedings).  http://hdl.handle.net.ezproxy.lib.vt.edu/10919/72936

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