This is the diary of Lt. Henry G. Bonebrake, Company G, 17^th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Lt. Bonebrake mustered into service on September 26, 1862 and served throughout the war until being mustered out on June 21, 1865. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for capturing a Rebel flag during the Battle of Five Forks on April 1, 1865.

This is a typical leather-bound personal journal of the Civil War-era. Leather is in fair condition with “rubs” in the usual places on the edges and folds. The pages are clean and the paper is in good condition (not brittle). Most of the individual pages have separated and split from the spine. The entries are in both pencil and pen & ink and are very clear and readable.

The diary starts on Monday, September 19, 1864 and runs through to Saturday, June 24, 1865. These pages are filled with interesting details and excerpts from this diary are printed in the regimental history of this regiment. Of special note is Bonebrake’s description of the fighting on April 1, 1865 at Five Forks. It was there that he captured a rebel flag, an action that won him the Medal of Honor. In that particular entry he mentions the numbers of prisoners, pieces of artillery, and battle flags captured. He also lists casualties from his own regiment and closes with “Gen. Sheridan relieved Gen. Warren for not coming up in time.”

Three other pieces of original paperwork accompany this diary. A personal letter, signed by Bonebrake, and two printed pages. All three of these documents relate to the attempt to get an additional annuity paid to MOH recipients. Newspaper clippings and additional research are included.

Henry Bonebrake died in 1912 and is buried in the Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesboro, Pa.   [jet]

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