Civil War diary kept by George Briggs of Brandon, Vt., who was a servant of Chaplain Charles S. Hale of the 5th Vermont Regiment. Diary begins September 29, 1862 and ends December 31, 1862. It covers the battle at Fredericksburg. There is also a letter and pass for Briggs to travel to acquire a horse for Hale; and a typed description of Briggs' marriage in 1881 to Annie S. Higgins.

Charles S. Hale of Brandon, Vt., was commissioned Chaplain for the 5th Vermont Regiment on May 24, 1862. He resigned on May 25, 1863, and was reappointed on August 8 of that same year. He was mustered out on September 15, 1864.