The Orville E. Babcock diaries represent the experiences of an Union Army officer and engineer, and aide-de-camp to Ulysses S. Grant. Babcock’s diaries begin in 1863 and continue into 1869. Babcock records his experiences in Kentucky, Ohio, Washington, DC, Vicksburg, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, before being summoned to Virginia by General Grant. They also contain information about his post war experiences in Washington as Grant’s aide, including his diaries from his famous mission to Santo Domingo in 1869. This collection also includes supplementary materials of speeches, correspondence, and newspaper clippings.