CIVIL WAR – Perpetual Diary [1863]. New York: A. Liebenroth & Von Auw, [1862].

CIVIL WAR – Perpetual Diary [1863]. New York: A. Liebenroth & Von Auw, [1862].

A diary of a Union soldier present at Appomattox who mentions the Lincoln Assassination. The diary, kept by a Union soldier (likely a member of the 138th Pennsylvania Infantry) from June 1863 to June 1865, chronicles his service from June to December 1863, and again from April to June 1865. The 1863 entries include a mention of "the hard fought battles of the 1.2.3 at Gettysburg" and narrates the soldier's service as his regiment engaged in the pursuit of Lee as he retreated back in to Virginia. Of particular interest is the soldier's account of the final days of the Army of Northern Virginia, staring with 2 April 1865, where he records that his regiment "Charged the enemy's lines at 4. O clock in the Morning carried the works Capturing many prisoners & guns…" On 3 April "Our troops enter Petersburg and Richmond the Rebels retreating…" On 6 April the dirist reports on the last major engagement of the Civil War, the Battle of Sayler's Creek: "hard Marching in the forenoon. Attacked the enemy at 3 afternoon driving them splendidly Capturing … thousands of prisoners…" On Sunday 9 April the day our diarist had been waiting had finally arrived: "Lee Surrenders to Gen Grant. Great rejoicing in the 6th Corps on receipt of the news. Salutes being fired in the afternoon." But the celebratory mood was soon dampened. On 14 April, we find that "President Lincoln Shott [sic] by Booth."

132 pages (90 pages filled with manuscript), 12mo. Bound in leatherette (chips and tears to binding and spine).

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM THE ROGER D. JUDD COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS, DOCUMENTS & MANUSCRIPTS