First Sergeant Matthew (also spelled Mathew) Marvin was one of the first men to volunteer to fight in the Civil War, where he suffered more than one injury. First he was shot in the foot at the Battle of Bull Run. Then he was hit in the thigh when a gun accidentally went off while his regiment was camped out. Marvin's time in the army ended after he was shot in the foot again at the Battle of Gettysburg. During his time as a soldier, he kept a very detailed diary, commenting on camp life, his health, and the weather.