Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1875

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume (+ 1 portrait)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Francis Langford diary, 1872-1881, Ms. Codex 1875, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1872-1881 (inclusive)

Creator:

Langford, Francis

Form:

Manuscripts, English -- 19th century, Portraits, Paintings (visual works), Diaries, and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

Diary of Francis Langford a Lieutenant in the British Army during the Afghan Wars. The diary spans the years from 1872 to 1881.

Langford was born in Ireland. He enlisted In the British Army in 1862 with the 85th King's Light Infantry, also known as the Bucks Volunteers or the Shropshire Light Infantry. In 1863 he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He was stationed in India. He became a Captain in 1878. Langford served in the second Anglo-Afghan War from 1878 to 1880 with the Koorum Division and received a medal as part of the Zaimusht Expedition. Langford retired from the British Army as a Major in 1882.

This small, leather-bound volume with a metal clasp closure contains the diary of Francis Langford spanning the years from 1872 to 1881. The first page of the diary reads: Frank Langford 85th Light Infantry, Deolalee, March 1872. Langford's daily entries are written at the center of the volume beginning in April 1880 and ending in January 1881. The date for each entry is recorded on the left followed by short notations for each day. Langford recorded travels of the regiment, incoming and outgoing mail, periodicals he read, the weather, deaths of soldiers, military parades, picnics, servants, taking walks, and animal sightings. Langford also noted events at camp, wounded soldiers, attacks, and expeditions. The remainder of the volume is chiefly written in pencil and concerns traveling military groups including number of men and women, guards, officers, tents, and camels. Lists of items, names and addresses, furniture, and tools are recorded along with some expenses. One page is entitled Zaimusht expedition. The volume opens bottom to top in the manner of a reporter's notebook. In addition to the diary is a small portrait painting of Langford dated 1883. A printed calendar for the year 1870 is pasted on the inside front cover. The first leaf of the diary is detached. Portions of some leaves have been excised.