A 27 year-old married farmer from Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Sylvester Haynes enlisted on September 20, 1861, re-enlisting for a second tour of duty on January 18, 1864. His wife's name was Martha and he notes in one diary that he had six children as of June 1866.
Following his re-enlistment, he went home on leave from February 15 to March 21, 1864. He notes that he "set for my picture" (as seen here) on the 16th March, exactly two months before he would be wounded in battle.
On May 16, 1864, he was wounded in the chest at the Battle of Drewry's Bluff.
May 16, 1864
foggy rebs came down on us in the fog & turned our flank captured most of the 23rd Mass drove us all back with heavy loss on both sides I was wounded through the right brest (shot in the right lung) soon after the engagement commenced lay out in the rain all night at Rocky Point.
May 17, 1864
went on board a sanitary boat at noon started for Hampton Roads lay there the rest of the night was cared for well By the Sanitery commission fair.
Following a stay at "Chesapeak General Hospital, David's Island Hospital tents, and Nights US Hospital Ward at New Haven, CT.," he returned home from June 16 to July 28, 1864. Following an extended stay in Boston, he reported to the regiment at New Berne on Thursday, September 22, 1864. He mustered out with the regiment on May 31, 1865.
May 15, 1864
lay in line of battle all night went out in the morning to fool with the sharp shooters fired 60 rounds moved our lines to the right threw up a light brest works some rain a few wounded each day.
Sylvester Haynes' day diaries for 1862, 1863, and 1864, silver identification shield and CDV photo are from the collection of John N. Ockerbloom.