“A NH Teacher Goes to War”
Comics Adaptation
of a
Henniker Native’s
Written Account
Available episodes:
The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby (INTRO) - 1861: Background info & links for Freeman's diary ...
Colby 1: When the War Broke Out - 1861: Freeman Colby (of Henniker) needs a break from the rigors of teaching… so he enlists to fight in the Civil War!
Colby 2: How Relentless - 1861: Freeman Colby recalls Northern attitudes that Spring …
Colby 3: Woburn - 1861-2: Colby finds work at an unfamiliar Massachusetts town…
Colby 4: Newton, My Brother - 1862: Freeman Colby's little brother can't wait to go to war!
Colby 5: We Enlisted - 1862: The Colby brothers sign up with a Massachusetts regiment…
Colby 6: A Critical Inspection of the Teeth - 1862: The 39th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment has high standards for its recruits… 
Colby 7: Just in Case - 1862: You're in the army now. 
Colby 8: Company K - 1862: Three NH lads muster with the Woburn men...
Colby 9: Camp Life - 1862: Camp routine of the 39th Massachusetts Company K...
Colby 10: Stuff for Sale - 1862: Camp “venders” settle in to make money off the boys in blue… 
Colby 11: Captain’s Promise - 1862: Is Captain Richardson playing favorites in the furlough department?
Colby 12: Close to Home - 1862: Those lucky boys from Woburn get to visit home any time they want ...
Colby 13: Devoted to Drilling - 1862: This seems almost idyllic... until you consider the horrors these men will soon face.
Colby 14: Dash for the Train - 1862: Jonas and Freeman go AWOL to visit Henniker one last time before shipping out...
Colby 15: Evasion - 1862: Two soldiers on the run skip Boston, evade arrest, and proceed straight to NH!
Colby 16: Visiting Family - 1862: Colby talks politics with various branches of the family during his week at home...
Colby 17: Farewell - 1862: At the end of his informal furlough, AWOL Freeman must say good-bye... 
Colby 18: Rejoining the Regiment - 1862: Colby & Bacon try to slip back into their Regiment as it passes through Boston...
Colby 19: Getting Back - 1862: Despite the Captain's wrath, Colby seems to really relish this memory of his escape from camp the week before ...
Colby 20: On Parade - 1862: Discipline stretches in the hot noonday sun ...
Colby 21: The Wait - 1862: Colby's long slow journey to the front continues ...
Colby 22: Philadelphia by Mule - 1862: With the war raging next door in Maryland, the city of Philadelphia STILL insists on certain inconvenient city ordinances ...
Colby 23: Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon - 1862: The regiment receives a generous reception in Philly ...
Colby 24: Baltimore Poison - 1862: Dangers of roadside rebel coffee in Baltimore ... 
Colby 25: Rumors of Jackson - 1862: Gossip spreads about the regiment's first assignment ...
Colby 26: Washington - 1862: Colby's regiment finally reaches Washington, but Newton's sick in the hospital when the work begins ...
Colby 27: Ellsworth & Lee - 1862: Colby surveys his surroundings & recalls the big names that shaped history here ...
Colby 28: Not Far Away - 1862: While waiting in camp at Washington, Colby hears news of nearby engagements...
Colby 29: Chance Meeting - Colby runs into his fiancee's older brother-in-law in camp at Arlington Heights ...
Colby 30: Night’s March! - 1862: The orders go out: It's a night's march! ...
Colby 31: Dusty Roads - 1862: Troop movements along the Potomac ...
Colby 32: We Plodded Doggedly On - 1862: The sun goes down & the miles drag on ...
Colby 33: Straggling Commenced - 1862: Colby's regiment gets back to basics on its first hard night march ...
Colby & Bacon on a Night March - The officers, no doubt, feel a certain urgency ...
Colby 34: Trouble in Camp - 1862: Colby & Bacon may have "straggled" in a field the night before, but they're up at dawn and on the road ...
Colby 35: Day of Rest - 1862: Colby's footsore "day of rest" just happens to be the bloodiest day in US military history ...
Colby 36: A Full Statement of the Case - 1862: Freeman & Jonas finally get to plead their case regarding their dramatic escape from camp ...
Colby 37: The Captain Would Always Hate Us - 1862: Colby & Bacon may have escaped military discipline, but the Captain still holds a grudge ...
Colby 38: The Picket Line - 1862: How they guarded the Potomac River, border between Union and Rebellion ...
The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby (INTRO) - 1861: Background info & links for Freeman's diary ... Colby 1: When the War Broke Out - 1861: Freeman Colby (of Henniker) needs a break from the rigors of teaching… so he enlists to fight in the Civil War! Colby 2: How Relentless - 1861: Freeman Colby recalls Northern attitudes that Spring … Colby 3: Woburn - 1861-2: Colby finds work at an unfamiliar Massachusetts town… Colby 4: Newton, My Brother - 1862: Freeman Colby's little brother can't wait to go to war! Colby 5: We Enlisted - 1862: The Colby brothers sign up with a Massachusetts regiment… Colby 6: A Critical Inspection of the Teeth - 1862: The 39th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment has high standards for its recruits… Colby 7: Just in Case - 1862: You're in the army now. Colby 8: Company K - 1862: Three NH lads muster with the Woburn men... Colby 9: Camp Life - 1862: Camp routine of the 39th Massachusetts Company K... Colby 10: Stuff for Sale - 1862: Camp “venders” settle in to make money off the boys in blue… Colby 11: Captain’s Promise - 1862: Is Captain Richardson playing favorites in the furlough department? Colby 12: Close to Home - 1862: Those lucky boys from Woburn get to visit home any time they want ... Colby 13: Devoted to Drilling - 1862: This seems almost idyllic... until you consider the horrors these men will soon face. Colby 14: Dash for the Train - 1862: Jonas and Freeman go AWOL to visit Henniker one last time before shipping out... Colby 15: Evasion - 1862: Two soldiers on the run skip Boston, evade arrest, and proceed straight to NH! Colby 16: Visiting Family - 1862: Colby talks politics with various branches of the family during his week at home... Colby 17: Farewell - 1862: At the end of his informal furlough, AWOL Freeman must say good-bye... Colby 18: Rejoining the Regiment - 1862: Colby & Bacon try to slip back into their Regiment as it passes through Boston... Colby 19: Getting Back - 1862: Despite the Captain's wrath, Colby seems to really relish this memory of his escape from camp the week before ... Colby 20: On Parade - 1862: Discipline stretches in the hot noonday sun ... Colby 21: The Wait - 1862: Colby's long slow journey to the front continues ... Colby 22: Philadelphia by Mule - 1862: With the war raging next door in Maryland, the city of Philadelphia STILL insists on certain inconvenient city ordinances ... Colby 23: Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon - 1862: The regiment receives a generous reception in Philly ...
Colby 24: Baltimore Poison - 1862: Dangers of roadside rebel coffee in Baltimore ... Colby 25: Rumors of Jackson - 1862: Gossip spreads about the regiment's first assignment ... Colby 26: Washington - 1862: Colby's regiment finally reaches Washington, but Newton's sick in the hospital when the work begins ... Colby 27: Ellsworth & Lee - 1862: Colby surveys his surroundings & recalls the big names that shaped history here ... Colby 28: Not Far Away - 1862: While waiting in camp at Washington, Colby hears news of nearby engagements... Colby 29: Chance Meeting - Colby runs into his fiancee's older brother-in-law in camp at Arlington Heights ... Colby 30: Night’s March! - 1862: The orders go out: It's a night's march! ... Colby 31: Dusty Roads - 1862: Troop movements along the Potomac ... Colby 32: We Plodded Doggedly On - 1862: The sun goes down & the miles drag on ... Colby 33: Straggling Commenced - 1862: Colby's regiment gets back to basics on its first hard night march ... Colby & Bacon on a Night March - The officers, no doubt, feel a certain urgency ... Colby 34: Trouble in Camp - 1862: Colby & Bacon may have "straggled" in a field the night before, but they're up at dawn and on the road ... Colby 35: Day of Rest - 1862: Colby's footsore "day of rest" just happens to be the bloodiest day in US military history ... Colby 36: A Full Statement of the Case - 1862: Freeman & Jonas finally get to plead their case regarding their dramatic escape from camp ... Colby 37: The Captain Would Always Hate Us - 1862: Colby & Bacon may have escaped military discipline, but the Captain still holds a grudge ... Colby 38: The Picket Line - 1862: How they guarded the Potomac River, border between Union and Rebellion ...
Colby 39: And a Vigilant Lookout - 1862: Rebels on the far bank!
Colby 40: Button Our Blankets Together - 1862: Making the most of limited shelter while the season grows colder ...
Colby 41: Newton & the Georgetown Mules - 1862: Freeman's hapless brother Newton Colby seems to have a knack for getting himself into trouble ...
Colby 42: A Hundred Feet of Rope - 1862: As far as Newton is concerned, the longer the rope, the bigger the tangle ...
Colby 43: Newton Takes Charge - 1862: Newton takes charge ...
Colby 44: As Light As Possible - 1862: Freeman checks up on his little brother ...
Colby 45: The Bones They Found - 1862: Recognizing the anniversary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff (1861) ...
Colby 46: Alarm - 1862: Alert! Alert! The enemy approaches! (Or DOES he...?)
Colby 47: “None of us were any too well pleased” - 1862: Camp life is definitely a step down from picket duty ...
Colby 48: Camp Schedule - 1862: Daily routine in a union camp along the Potomac lines ...
Colby 49: Work Detail - 1862: Colby's camp needs firewood ...
Colby 50: Teamwork - 1862: With a little teamwork and vigilance, a squad of Union soldiers can accomplish an astonishing amount of... card-playing?!
Colby & Co. in the Woods - We couldn't resist imagining what a woodcutting detail might have been like...
Colby 51: Fair Shot - 1862: Maybe this is why the picket guards were such poor shots? ...
Colby 52: Rumors - 1862: Real news was scarce indeed ...
Colby 53: Newspapers - 1862: Colby finds an unquenchable thirst for reading material in camp ...
Colby 54: Peaches - 1862: An intriguing meditation on property, slavery, and justice by our Northern narrator:
Colby 55: Hospitality - 1862: Union boys aren't supposed to take anything from the southron farms they pass...
Colby 56: Caught At It - 1862: Newton tries his hand at peach orchard thievery:
Colby 57: Rations - 1862: Col. Stearns secures more (if not better) victuals: 
Colby 58: Skirmish - 1862: A harrowing day of marching, waiting, marching, & wondering... 
Colby 59: Muddy Branch - A change of scenery & water supply ... 
Colby 60: Marching Orders - Waiting for action ... 
Colby 61: Mail - 1862: News and views from the old NH home ... 
Colby 62: Thus Far - 1862: Colby takes stock of the war ...
Colby 63: Guarding Rebel Property - 1862: Colby's complaints against the army's anti-foraging policies ...
Colby 64: “Even the Negroes” - 1862: Colby vents his jealousy of the treatment received by former slaves ...
Colby 65: Officers - 1862: As an independent New Englander, Colby chafes at the army's rigid protocols ...
Colby 66: Rain - 1862: The weather turns muddy ...
Colby at Muddy Branch - Somehow, Colby has to get a pail of drinking water out of Muddy Branch Creek ...
Colby 67: Water - 1862: Water problems in camp ...
Colby 68: Sick Call - 1862: Jonas falls first, and the men line up ...
Colby 69: Treatment - 1862: The regimental surgeon is an expert ... in foiling fakers!
Colby 70: Too Sick to Mind - 1862: Finally, illness comes to Colby ... 
Colby 71: The Yallers - 1862: And now we have a diagnosis! 
Colby 72: Hospital Tent - 1862: Colby succumbs to medical treatment ...
Colby 73: Graybacks - 1862: The sick tent has other inhabitants, besides the patients ...
Colby 74: Scanning Our Worn Clothes - Eviction day for Colby's corporeal guests ...
Colby 75: Bravado & Hardihood - Some of the men are "hardier" than others ...
Colby 76: Rations - Talking food with the tent-mates ...
Colby 77: Regimental Sutler - 1862: Sutler Pullen provides the goods... IF you have the money! 
Colby 78: Pay - Colby displays a distinct lack of confidence in the stability of the US currency ...
Colby 79: Warmth - 1862: Cotton just isn't warm enough for the southern Winter ...
Colby 80: Stoves - Finally, a fire in the tent! ...
Colby 81: Camp Desolation - The regiment prepares for Winter Quarters ...
Colby 82: On the March (Again) - Can't you just hear Captain Richardson's teeth grinding in rage? ...
Colby 83: Be Prepared - 1862: Hard to get a good night's sleep when rumors of raids run rampant ...
Colby 84: Offutt’s Crossroads - Colby enjoys the lovely fall weather ... for a little while.
Colby 85: Mail - Postal privileges & caustic comments from the camp of the 39th MA:
Colby 86: Sick (Again) - 1862: Newton's troubles are far from over...
Colby 87: Awaiting Sunshine - The 39th MA's casualty cases are going nowhere fast ...
Colby 88: “A Fine Drunk” - Tensions arise in camp as the holidays approach ...
Colby 89: Knife - Colby's father sends him a knife in his holiday box, but will it get past Capt. Richardson?
Colby 90: Unpacking - 1862: Now that the holiday boxes have finally arrived, the boys choose to look on the bright side...
Colby 91: Tea - A dipper of hot tea brings back memories of home ...
Colby 92: Another Rebel Raid - Even in winter quarters, the 39th Mass. Volunteers can't quite relax ...
Colby 93: Medicine Enough - Colby's health woes continue, but he returns to duty at last ...
Colby 94: Casualties - Mounting casualties feed anti-war sentiment at the North ...
Colby 95: Sunday - A sabbath (of sorts) in camp:
Colby 96: Newton’s Transfer - Newton finally ships out on a barge bound for Washington ... 
Colby 97: Hope - A brother's concern about the wartime hospital system ...
Colby 98: Quick Note - News from Newton! 
Colby 99: “Parker Richardson is in camp” - A well-connected visitor passes through ...
Colby 100: Warm Weather - Enjoy it while it lasts, and send home for treats!
Colby 101: We Had Objections - Do officers have special party privileges? ...
Colby 102: Holiday - 1862: Colby gets an unexpected holiday break as Christmas approaches ...
Colby 103: Bakery Nearby - 1862: Colby's on sick leave, waiting to catch a ride back up to the front ...
Colby 104: Ice - 1862: A cold night on the canal ...
Colby 105: Surrounded at Prayer - Evidence of a cavalry raid at Poolesville ...
Colby 106: Reassurances - Colby writes to tell his family it's not all that bad ...
Colby 107: Holidays at the South - Colby observes Christmas festivities far from his native New Hampshire ...
Colby 108: Place of Honor - More maneuvers along the Potomac ...
Colby 109: Duty - The regiment's responsibilities:
Colby 110: Tentmates - Some blanket teamwork keeps the boys warm...
Colby 111: Stockading - The boys make good use of the warm winter weather ...
Colby 112: Sham Fight - 1863: An entertaining pastime turns dangerous at the "Second Great Battle of Poolsville" ...
Colby 113: Lucky Soldier - 1863: Colby receives the best birthday mail EVER from his family at New England ...
Colby 114: Weak and Sick but Happy to be Home - 1863: Finally, a letter arrives -- brother Newton has made it back to New Hampshire!
Colby 115: Awaiting a Discharge - 1863: Newton writes of his road to recovery & quest for a furlough ...
Colby 116: Patient Patient - Newton's story, continued ...
Historical New Hampshire Vol. 71 No. 1 - Featuring "Drawing Freeman Colby," an 18-page full-color article about the "Live Free & Draw" comics creation process.
Freeman Colby, Vol. 2 KICKSTARTER! - Pre-ordering via Kickstarter (Feb-Mar 2019)!
Colby 39: And a Vigilant Lookout - 1862: Rebels on the far bank!
Colby 40: Button Our Blankets Together - 1862: Making the most of limited shelter while the season grows colder ... Colby 41: Newton & the Georgetown Mules - 1862: Freeman's hapless brother Newton Colby seems to have a knack for getting himself into trouble ... Colby 42: A Hundred Feet of Rope - 1862: As far as Newton is concerned, the longer the rope, the bigger the tangle ... Colby 43: Newton Takes Charge - 1862: Newton takes charge ... Colby 44: As Light As Possible - 1862: Freeman checks up on his little brother ... Colby 45: The Bones They Found - 1862: Recognizing the anniversary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff (1861) ... Colby 46: Alarm - 1862: Alert! Alert! The enemy approaches! (Or DOES he...?) Colby 47: “None of us were any too well pleased” - 1862: Camp life is definitely a step down from picket duty ... Colby 48: Camp Schedule - 1862: Daily routine in a union camp along the Potomac lines ...
Colby 49: Work Detail - 1862: Colby's camp needs firewood ... Colby 50: Teamwork - 1862: With a little teamwork and vigilance, a squad of Union soldiers can accomplish an astonishing amount of... card-playing?!
Colby & Co. in the Woods - We couldn't resist imagining what a woodcutting detail might have been like... Colby 51: Fair Shot - 1862: Maybe this is why the picket guards were such poor shots? ... Colby 52: Rumors - 1862: Real news was scarce indeed ... Colby 53: Newspapers - 1862: Colby finds an unquenchable thirst for reading material in camp ... Colby 54: Peaches - 1862: An intriguing meditation on property, slavery, and justice by our Northern narrator:
Colby 55: Hospitality - 1862: Union boys aren't supposed to take anything from the southron farms they pass... Colby 56: Caught At It - 1862: Newton tries his hand at peach orchard thievery:
Colby 57: Rations - 1862: Col. Stearns secures more (if not better) victuals: Colby 58: Skirmish - 1862: A harrowing day of marching, waiting, marching, & wondering... Colby 59: Muddy Branch - A change of scenery & water supply ... Colby 60: Marching Orders - Waiting for action ... Colby 61: Mail - 1862: News and views from the old NH home ... Colby 62: Thus Far - 1862: Colby takes stock of the war ...
Colby 63: Guarding Rebel Property - 1862: Colby's complaints against the army's anti-foraging policies ...
Colby 64: “Even the Negroes” - 1862: Colby vents his jealousy of the treatment received by former slaves ...
Colby 65: Officers - 1862: As an independent New Englander, Colby chafes at the army's rigid protocols ...
Colby 66: Rain - 1862: The weather turns muddy ...
Colby at Muddy Branch - Somehow, Colby has to get a pail of drinking water out of Muddy Branch Creek ... Colby 67: Water - 1862: Water problems in camp ...
Colby 68: Sick Call - 1862: Jonas falls first, and the men line up ...
Colby 69: Treatment - 1862: The regimental surgeon is an expert ... in foiling fakers! Colby 70: Too Sick to Mind - 1862: Finally, illness comes to Colby ... Colby 71: The Yallers - 1862: And now we have a diagnosis! Colby 72: Hospital Tent - 1862: Colby succumbs to medical treatment ...
Colby 73: Graybacks - 1862: The sick tent has other inhabitants, besides the patients ... Colby 74: Scanning Our Worn Clothes - Eviction day for Colby's corporeal guests ... Colby 75: Bravado & Hardihood - Some of the men are "hardier" than others ... Colby 76: Rations - Talking food with the tent-mates ... Colby 77: Regimental Sutler - 1862: Sutler Pullen provides the goods... IF you have the money! Colby 78: Pay - Colby displays a distinct lack of confidence in the stability of the US currency ... Colby 79: Warmth - 1862: Cotton just isn't warm enough for the southern Winter ... Colby 80: Stoves - Finally, a fire in the tent! ...
Colby 81: Camp Desolation - The regiment prepares for Winter Quarters ... Colby 82: On the March (Again) - Can't you just hear Captain Richardson's teeth grinding in rage? ... Colby 83: Be Prepared - 1862: Hard to get a good night's sleep when rumors of raids run rampant ... Colby 84: Offutt’s Crossroads - Colby enjoys the lovely fall weather ... for a little while. Colby 85: Mail - Postal privileges & caustic comments from the camp of the 39th MA: Colby 86: Sick (Again) - 1862: Newton's troubles are far from over... Colby 87: Awaiting Sunshine - The 39th MA's casualty cases are going nowhere fast ...
Colby 88: “A Fine Drunk” - Tensions arise in camp as the holidays approach ... Colby 89: Knife - Colby's father sends him a knife in his holiday box, but will it get past Capt. Richardson? Colby 90: Unpacking - 1862: Now that the holiday boxes have finally arrived, the boys choose to look on the bright side... Colby 91: Tea - A dipper of hot tea brings back memories of home ... Colby 92: Another Rebel Raid - Even in winter quarters, the 39th Mass. Volunteers can't quite relax ... Colby 93: Medicine Enough - Colby's health woes continue, but he returns to duty at last ... Colby 94: Casualties - Mounting casualties feed anti-war sentiment at the North ... Colby 95: Sunday - A sabbath (of sorts) in camp: Colby 96: Newton’s Transfer - Newton finally ships out on a barge bound for Washington ... Colby 97: Hope - A brother's concern about the wartime hospital system ... Colby 98: Quick Note - News from Newton! Colby 99: “Parker Richardson is in camp” - A well-connected visitor passes through ... Colby 100: Warm Weather - Enjoy it while it lasts, and send home for treats! Colby 101: We Had Objections - Do officers have special party privileges? ... Colby 102: Holiday - 1862: Colby gets an unexpected holiday break as Christmas approaches ...
Colby 103: Bakery Nearby - 1862: Colby's on sick leave, waiting to catch a ride back up to the front ... Colby 104: Ice - 1862: A cold night on the canal ... Colby 105: Surrounded at Prayer - Evidence of a cavalry raid at Poolesville ... Colby 106: Reassurances - Colby writes to tell his family it's not all that bad ... Colby 107: Holidays at the South - Colby observes Christmas festivities far from his native New Hampshire ... Colby 108: Place of Honor - More maneuvers along the Potomac ... Colby 109: Duty - The regiment's responsibilities: Colby 110: Tentmates - Some blanket teamwork keeps the boys warm... Colby 111: Stockading - The boys make good use of the warm winter weather ... Colby 112: Sham Fight - 1863: An entertaining pastime turns dangerous at the "Second Great Battle of Poolsville" ... Colby 113: Lucky Soldier - 1863: Colby receives the best birthday mail EVER from his family at New England ... Colby 114: Weak and Sick but Happy to be Home - 1863: Finally, a letter arrives -- brother Newton has made it back to New Hampshire! Colby 115: Awaiting a Discharge - 1863: Newton writes of his road to recovery & quest for a furlough ... Colby 116: Patient Patient - Newton's story, continued ... Historical New Hampshire Vol. 71 No. 1 - Featuring "Drawing Freeman Colby," an 18-page full-color article about the "Live Free & Draw" comics creation process. Freeman Colby, Vol. 2 KICKSTARTER! - Pre-ordering via Kickstarter (Feb-Mar 2019)!~ MORE TO COME ~
This is fabulous. We’re working on copying a relative’s civil war letters home. It looks like our two main c characters meet on opposite sides.
Thanks ~ We should have the complete book available in 2014. ~ In the meantime I’ll be following your blog, and watching for the 11th MS in Freeman’s diary… ~ M