Diary Pages – 1865 – Civil War Year

The first page of Samuel’s diary for 1865 contains this entry:

Should this little book be lost, the finder will confer a great favor upon me by returning it either to me or someone of the above named company. If by reason of sickness or wounds I may at any time become insensible or unable to state my case each day as marked in the within pages, I shall regard it as a great favor conferred upon me and my friends by anyone who may be so kind as to make the statement as above named for me; And should it be my lot to fall victim of Death, either upon the Battlefield or elsewhere, I hereby request that he who may find this book will send it, with other little articles which may be found upon my person that would be regarded as keep-sakes by my friends, to my father, whose address is: William Melvin, Eldersville, Washington County, Penna.
Sam J. Melvin