LeRoy Wiley Gresham facts for kids
LeRoy Wiley Gresham (born November 11, 1847 – died June 18, 1865) was a teenager from Macon, Georgia. He kept a detailed diary during the American Civil War. His seven journals give us a rare look into what life was like for a young person during this important time in history. His diary is considered one of the most important ever published from that era.
Selections from his diary were shown in a Library of Congress exhibit. This exhibit, called "The Civil War in America," ran from 2012 to 2013. Parts of his diary were also printed in Harper's Magazine and featured in the Washington Post. LeRoy's diary is the only known diary from a teenage civilian boy that covers this entire time period. This makes his writings truly special.
Contents
LeRoy Wiley Gresham: A Teenager's Civil War Diary
Who Was LeRoy Gresham?
LeRoy, often called "Loy" by his family, was born in Macon, Georgia. His father, John Gresham, was a well-known businessman, judge, and attorney. He even served as mayor of Macon twice. LeRoy's family was wealthy and owned a large number of enslaved people.
A Unique Diary from the Civil War
LeRoy's mother, Mary Gresham, gave him a journal in 1860. He started writing in it when he was about to travel with his father. They were going to Philadelphia to see a doctor about LeRoy's health. He continued writing almost every day for five years. He stopped just a few weeks before he passed away in 1865.
What Made His Diary Special?
LeRoy's diaries are like a blog from the 1800s. They offer a deep look into the life of a well-known Southern family. He wrote about the start of the Civil War and the four years it lasted. He also wrote about slavery, as his family owned about 100 enslaved people. His writings show how the world was changing through the eyes of a very smart and educated teenager.
LeRoy loved to read and played chess. He dealt with his own health problems with amazing strength. His diary is also unique because it carefully describes his serious illness every day for five years. It details the treatments he received from doctors and his family. He wrote about his pain, fevers, and how medicines affected him. His entries show his steady decline until his death.
LeRoy's Life and Challenges
In 1856, LeRoy was badly hurt when a chimney fell on him. His left leg was crushed. After this, he could not move around easily. He later developed other serious health issues. These problems were caused by a slow and painful disease that would eventually take his life. LeRoy spent most of his time sitting or lying down. Sometimes, family members or enslaved people would pull him around town in a special wagon.
His Health Struggles
A book called I Am Perhaps Dying was written about LeRoy's medical condition. Dr. Dennis Rasbach wrote this book in 2018. It explains that LeRoy suffered from spinal tuberculosis. This was a very serious illness in the 1800s. His diary entries provide a rare, daily record of how this disease progressed.
His Family and Legacy
LeRoy Wiley Gresham was the son of John J. and Mary Gresham. He is buried in Macon, Georgia at the Rose Hill Cemetery. His mother, Mary Baxter Gresham, was the sister of Sallie Bird. LeRoy is briefly mentioned in some family letters. These letters are kept at the University of Georgia Libraries.
