Group of four small books comprising the wartime diary of Captain John F. Casner of Company K, 91^st Pennsylvania Volunteers.

John F. Casner, Sr. was 40 years old when he raised Company K of the 91st Pennsylvania. He was commissioned Captain at Philadelphia on December 3, 1861. At the time of his commissioning he was working as a painter to support his wife, Adeline and their seven children. Captain Casner went with his Company to the Virginia front where they were assigned picket duty until finally being attached to the 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac before Antietam, however, they did not report to the Corps till just after the battle. Casner was present for Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomy, Bethesda Church and Petersburg. During all that time Captain Casner only missed duty between February 7, 1863-March 6, 1863 when he was sick. During the siege of Petersburg Casner was wounded on October 27, 1864 at Hatcher’s Run. The nature of his wound is not specified but he was absent from the regiment into December. He was promoted to Major on April 3, 1865 and was mustered out at Washington, D.C. on July 10, 1865. After the war Casner returned to his family in Philadelphia and continued his work as a painter. He was active in regimental reunions. He died on June 24, 1897.

The first book has no covers but is filled with ink entries that run from September 12^th to October 29^th 1862. This small book is only 9 pages written on both sides. It covers the regiments march through Maryland and their arrival on the field of Antietam just after the battle. Captain Casner talks of being able to hear the artillery and musket fire as they draw closer to the fight. Once on the field of Antitam he talks of seeing wounded Confederates as well as General McClellan and President Lincoln. He also mentions interesting things on the march and in camp. He talks about buying a goose and some fresh bread while passing through Maryland and he mentions how one night in camp two men through a shell into a camp fire. The subsequent explosion caused everyone to think the Rebels were coming back.

The next section runs from June 6, 1864 to July 7, 1864 and covers 9 pages written on both sides in pencil. Casner’s entries are not long but he does use every inch of space. He talks about getting clean clothes from the Christian Commission, endless marching and how many men he has lossed. Each entry discusses the weather, troop movements and any contact with the enemy. But the contact reports are brief. “Some firing in our front.” “Built breastworks-heard cannonading.” etc… “June 17^th the day clear. About 3 p.m. very heavy musketry firing. Wrote letter home. Bivouac in line of battle on the field.” The first two pages of this section and the last two Casner used as an account book for clothing issued to his men.

The third section starts around the 9^th of July 1864 and runs through August 17^th 1864 and discusses the battle of the Crater. It runs 8 pages written on both sides with the first page loose. Both ink and pencil entries can be found. About the Crater Casner says “On our side Burnside blew up the fort in his front. A very terrific cannonade along the whole line. Burnsides took a line of works early in the morning and occupied the fort they blowed up. In the afternoon the Rebels drove them out with (?) Understand that the Rebs lost pretty heavy.”

The fourth section is the first that is bound with white paper covers. It runs from August 19, 1864 to November 11, 1864. It contains 16 pages written on both sides in both pencil and ink. In this particular section Casner discusses the fighting around the Weldon Railroad. “Met the enemy pickets and drove them over the Weldon R. Road. Captured some. The 91^st (?) after gaining the railroad commenced to tear it up. Threw up breast works on the Road. There was a hard fight on our right + immediate front. This Regiment took no part in it. The fight lasted about 1 hour. The 91^st went down on the flank to support the 21^st Cavalry who were on picket.” Casner describes the fighting around Poplar Grove Church and also talks of being wounded and of being transported by Ambulance to a Division hospital.

The last diary is also bound in thin leather. Just inside the front cover is “CAPT. JOHN F. CASNER 91^st REGT. P.V.V.” This diary covers from March 31, 1865 through the end of the war. When the diary opens Casner is returning to his regiment from Philadelphia. By the time he reaches them Petersburg and Richmond has fallen. He rejoins the regiment on April 4^th and is with them when the Confederates surrender on the 9^th. Casner is present at the surrender ceremonies on the 12^th. He writes “At 6 a.m. formed lines in the road the 3^rd Brigade in front. Gordon’s Corps came first and stacked arms in our front then filed off. Then came Longstreet’s Corps. Received about 17,000 stand of arms and 70 battle flags. The ceremony lasted till ½ past 12 p.m. when we returned to camp. Rebels were pretty (?) clothed. Saw General Gordon, Johnson, Wise and Genl. Field they returning to their homes soon as possible. Saw in all about 20,000 men.” The diary ends with the muster out of the regiment.

All the entries are legible and any obstacle that might be encountered would be from Captain Casner’s handwriting or spelling. He used every bit of space he had and even though he does not record feelings or emotions he does relate what went on each day with him and his Company.

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