This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2024
[CIVIL WAR]. BLAIR, M. Lewis. Manuscript Diary of Captain M. Lewis Blair, of the 143rd Pennsylvania Volunteers for 1864. [New York: 1864]. 32mo. [12, printed reference information including an almanac, 365 dated pages (1 entry per page), 17, memoranda and cash account] pp. Approximately 151 x 74 mm. Entries in pen or pencil. Bound in contemporary full limp diced russia wallet-style binding (worn, soiled, front board nearly detached, hinges starting, text generally toned, soiled, inner covers worn, torn, text wrinkled, a few pencil entries faded). This diary covers Blair’s 1864 experiences with the Fifth Corps. At the Overland Campaign, he writes about the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5: “Had reveille at 5 o’clock and had breakfast cooked + ready to serve by sunrise - Moved over the Plank Road + off through a ravine + up into the pine wilderness where we lay from 7 o’clock till about 11 am when we were formed into line of battle + charged in through the wood to the right of the road-drove them in through for about 2 miles + were repulsed - losing a great number of men…”). After that battle, he marches through Fredericksburg, visiting several hospitals (he lists the wounded and dead throughout this diary), eventually joining Col. Joshua Chamberlain’s brigade (June 18: “...When we were moved round our left flank + popped in through the woods + formed in 2 lines of battle off to the left of Petersburg + charged the Rebel-works - part of our line on the left + both of our flanking Brigades following we were exposed to a cross fire + got terribly cut up - Col. Chamberlain Lt. Griffin + several others were wounded in the charge…”). In this diary, Blair mentions Lincoln, Grant, Sheridan, Sherman several times. He also mentions Sheridan’s victories in Winchester (September 20: “Sheridan took 3,000 prisoners + all the enemies artillery they leaving the field to us with all their killed”.)