In the turbulent year of 1864, Gilliard Dock, a mine superintendent in rural Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, expressed deep discomfort with his surroundings and growing fear of the Irish mineworkers he encountered. Dock’s journal entries reveal the tensions between mine management and labor, which were fueled by anti-Irish sentiment and fears of violence. His unease reflected broader concerns over labor unrest in the anthracite coal fields during the Civil War, where violence against management became increasingly common. Explore Dock's personal reflections and the often violent labor environment of the Coal Region during the Civil War. Read the full story.