The personal diary of Confederate Private Adam Wise Kersh of Company F 52nd Virginia Infantry. Dated sporadic entries from July 1861 – September 1862 written while stationed at Camp "Tip Top" located in the Alleghany Mountains in Pocahantas County, Virginia. Topics include daily camp life, building fortifications and making other preparations for future skirmishes , his personal daily activities, skirmishes with the Union troops, weather conditions, and lists of those who died. One entry dated May 8th, 1862 talks about the Battle of McDowell, the beginning of Confederate Army Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's Campaign through the Shenandoah Valley. Private Kersh states "our boys routed the Yankees" and then goes on to describe the injuries to the commanders on the Confederate side. In actuality, although the Confederate Army pushed back the attacking Union army led by Robert H. Milroy and Robert C. Schenck, they sustained almost double the casualties and injuries of the Yankee troops. This is one of the last dated entries. 5 3/4" H x 3 3/4" W. Note: Adam W. Kersh was born November 16, 1828 and was a resident of Centerville, Virgina in northern Augusta County. He was a furniture maker, a bachelor, and a member of St. Michael's Reformed Church. He died in 1905. Condition: Pages detached from binding, toning to paper and wear to leather cover.