| Scope and content |
The major item is a Civil War diary written by Charles A. Tournier, a Union soldier stationed in North Carolina in late 1864-1865. Tournier, age 17, enlisted August 29, 1864 at Auburn, New York, was mustered in as a private, assigned to Company A, 3rd New York Light Artillery, and was discharged July 3, 1865. Private Tournier's diary not only provides an excellent account of day to day life in the army but also describes the various battles and skirmishes in which he was involved and provides considerable information concerning the effects of the war on eastern North Carolina. Another item in the collection is a report of Craven County common schools (1858). Compiled by a teacher in one of the schools, the report describes conditions in each of the 49 districts of the county, giving the number of children eligible to attend, the number actually enrolled, subjects taught, number of teachers and salaries paid, and the condition of school buildings. Also in the collection is a pamphlet of advertisements showing the types of items available in New Bern in the 1880's. The booklet includes stories, jokes, and poems, and has a general description of the city and its commercial facilities. Of particular interest is an article that contains comments on the circulation of money, the increasing use of checks and bank drafts, and offered arguments against adopting the programs of silverites and greenbackers. There is also a leaflet on the celebration following the completion in 1858 of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad line from Goldsboro to New Bern. Printed in 1901, this item listed members of the celebration committee and described the preparations and festivities. |
