47105: Union Officer's 1865 Diary. Measuring 3.25" x 6"

Union Officer's 1865 Diary. Measuring 3.25" x 6", the diary appears to be split into a more general record, ranging from January 24 to December 25, 1865, and a "Private Journal", ranging from May 21 to September 13, 1865. The diary has no identifying markers, and it is not apparent which unit the man served with, although from context it may have been an Ohio regiment. In the first section of the journal, dated May 24, 1865, he recounts a review of Sherman's Army, writing in part: "Concluded to go up to the Ohio Stand at once to which I had procured a pass the day before. Not crowded when got there. Met Ida G., subsequently was obliged to give up my seat next to her and go up higher where I remained all day well contented and assisting in cheering the Ohio Regs. Maj Gen Shermans in company with five Maj Genls first made their appearance rode up saluted and turned in, looked very well. My heart filled with admiration for this and the West as I saw her noble troops...Had every good view of the Reviewing stand. The President Grant Sherman Hancock Meade Logan etc. etc. –" Further into the journal, in the section marked "Private", the soldier complains of being plagued with an old illness, possibly one that had troubled him during the war. His entry dated June 25, 1865 reads: "went church. On my arrival home, felt a little unwell, went to bed immediately. Bout one oc. was taken very sick with one of my old cramps and vomiting, rolled and kicked in the greatest agony till 6 oc., when Houghly took me some brandy, which did not relieve me very much – sent for cup of tea." The following month, he wrote about viewing the firework display in celebration of the Fourth of July. His July 4, 1865 entry reads: "This Even went in company with Miss M to see display of Fire Works South of the presidents same as in 1863. They were indeed splendid, best I ever saw, particularly the mottos and designs, Eagle & Shield words, Washington and Lincoln. Very large crowd, quite a jam at the gate coming out..." This was the first Fourth of July celebrated since the conclusion of the war that ripped the country apart, and although the capital celebrated, many around the country found the holiday to be a more solemn affair. Two seemingly innocuous entries in the diary record a historic event in our country's courts. The officer writes on July 18: "Went over this afternoon to the trial of Mary Harris...Judge Hugh of IND speaking. Not very interesting..." The next day, on the 19th, he wrote: "Went over to the trial again today in company with Tanner for the purpose of hearing Vorhees [ sic] speak..." Although the author appears not to have been impressed with the court proceedings, the trial was the first in U.S. history to use medical testimony to support the plea of temporary insanity in a murder trial. In a fit of rage and erratic behavior, Mary Harris had killed Adoniram Burroughs. Burroughs had been courting her for between five to seven years, but abruptly married another woman. After a strong defense argument by Hon. Daniel Voorhees, lawyer and Indiana senator, the jury reached a verdict of "not guilty". Condition: Wear and rubbing to the journal cover corners and spine. Some pages have been torn out, and there are a few loosened pages. Light soiling to the inner boards. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved