Archives and Library Division

Archives and Library Main Page | Search Room | Archival Programs | FAQs

This accretion contains the original of the Emma Balfour diary which was kept from May 16, 1863, through June 2, 1863, giving an account of life in Vicksburg during the siege by the Union army.

Emma Balfour was a resident of Vicksburg and was married to Dr. W. T. Balfour. In her diary which ends a month and two days before the fall of Vicksburg, Balfour discusses the daily activities of the troops and the constant bombardment of the city by the Union troops.

In addition to the original diary, the collection contains a card from Harris Dickson to Emma Collier (granddaughter of Emma Balfour and wife of Congressman J. W. Collier) indicating the return of the Emma Balfour diary. Also contained in this collection are typescripts of various Balfour and Oswald family papers, a facsimile of the "Wallpaper Edition" of the Daily Citizen, July 2, 1863, and a copy of a Postscript to the Pennsylvania Gazette, dated October 1781. This paper probably belonged to Dr. George Balfour, father of Dr. W. R. Balfour.

Archives and Library Finding Aids

The user must assume responsibility for compliance with federal copyright law (Title 17, United States Code) or any other issues involved in the use of the item(s) listed. See disclaimer