This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2024
[CIVIL WAR]. BLAKEMAN, James Henry (1841-ca. 1918). Manuscript Diary of a Soldier in the 17th Connecticut Regiment, with Description of His Wounding on the First Day of the Battle of Gettysburg. [New York: 1863]. 32mo. [18, printed reference including an almanac, 120 pages with dated entries (3 entries per page), 6, memoranda and cash account (several pages preceding this section torn out - none of which are part of the daily diary entries)] pp. All dated pages with manuscript entries in pencil. Approximately 120 x 78 mm. Bound in contemporary full limp diced russia wallet-style binding (worn, soiled, text generally toned, occasionally soiled, text lightly wrinkled with occasional soiling). Nearly the first half of the diary describes the weather and camp life (inspections, the food he ate, etc.), but on June 15, he and his regiment began their journey to Gettysburg, passing Alexandria, Washington, Georgetown, Harper’s Ferry, Middleton, Frederick, Emmitsburg, until they finally arrived at Gettysburg on Wednesday, July 1: “Marched at nine o’clock very fast to Gettysburg and went into the fight as soon as we arrived. Was wounded in the first of it and hobbled nearly 10 [?] miles to a barn hospital.” The next day’s entry: “Staid at the barn till afternoon then was taken to our hospital in the city. Found Veb [?] and several other boys wounded. Very hard fighting near till after dark.” Friday July 3: “Feel pretty sore today. Fighting commenced early in morning and shells were flying over all day. Nothing gained on either side.” Saturday July 4: “The Rebs left the place in the night and our Regt. come in early this morning. Saw Selah [his cousin]. Was taken two or three miles to the corps [?] hospital…” He is later transported to a hospital in Baltimore, and relates his recovery there.