Scope and Contents
The collection contains a diary that describes Russell's experience in the infantry. In some parts Russell crosses out the pre-filled date of 1865 and writes in 1866, and other times he does not. The exact dates are difficult to determine.
The diary commences as Company H leaves Ft. Vancouver for The Dalles. In April, the company was ordered to Camp Watson, from where it made a series of scouts in the John Day country. In October, Captain Loren L. Williams assisted in the building of the post and spent the winter there.
Russell often writes that he "cooked for the boys," that he had not seen any Indians, and his most common notation is, "nothing strange going on today. He was "mustard out" on June 19, 1866.
The last page of the diary contains song lyrics; the beginning line starts, "Just before the battle, Mother..."
Dates
- 1865-1866
Creator
- Russell, Silas, 1835 or 1837-1919 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Charles Silas Russell (1835 or 1837-1919) was born in Illinois, came to Oregon with his parents, and farmed near Pleasant Hill, Lane County.
On December 16, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, First Oregon Volunteer Infantry during the period of "Indian Wars" in Oregon.
Extent
0.025 linear feet (1 container) : 1 folder
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Silas Russell (1835 or 1837-1919) was an Oregon pioneer who farmed near Pleasant Hill, Lane County and who also served in Company H, First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, during the period of "Indian Wars" in Oregon. The collection (1865-1866) contains a diary that describes Russell's experience in the infantry.
- Camp Watson (Or.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Diaries Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Indians of North America -- Oregon Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Indians of North America -- Wars -- 1862-1865 -- Personal narratives Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Oregon Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Oregon -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Russell, Silas, 1835 or 1837-1919
- Snake War, 1864-1868 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Soldiers -- United States -- Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army
- United States. Army. Oregon Infantry Regiment, 1st. (1864-1867). Company H
- Title
- Guide to the Silas Russell Diary
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Tanya Parlet.
- Date
- 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
