Edward Rosewater diaries, 1860-1865

Edward Rosewater

Courtesy of the American Jewish Archives

Location: American Jewish Archives (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Background: Edward Rosewater (1841-1906) was a telegrapher for the War Department in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. Rosewater telegraphed Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to the public on 1 Jan. 1863.
Contents: Among other material in the collection is a diary including descriptions of part of his tenure as a telegrapher for the War Department in Washington, D.C. during the war. Rosewater telegraphed Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to the public on Jan. 1, 1863. In his diary, he describes a reception at the White House that day and briefly mentions the Proclamation.
Quotation: "Thursday January 1st 1863 War Dept Washn; ... The Prest looked rather cheerful... stood in centre of Room & shook hands with every one remarked to me How do you do sir, to a lady going by before me Hows the baby?... Went to office at 10 30 Pm. [Washington] Star has Proclamation of Prest Substance setting free by his authority as Prest of US & Comdr in Chf of A. & N all slaves in States of La except some parishes named including N Orleans. Miss. Fla Tex. Ala S.C. & N.C. Ark Ga & Va excepting some Districts near Norfolk & West Va. News otherwise unimpt ..."