This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2024
[CIVIL WAR]. Manuscript Diary of an Unidentified Union Soldier for 1862, who participated in the Siege of Corinth and the Battle of Shiloh. [New York: J. G. Shaw & Co., 1861]. 32mo. [12, printed reference pages, 120 pages with dated entries (3 entries per ruled page), 26, cash account and memoranda] pp. Approximately 130 x 80 mm. All pages of dated entries with pencil or ink entries, all pages of the cash account and memoranda pages have manuscript entries (there are several pages missing from this section). Bound in contemporary full limp diced russia wallet-style binding (worn, soiled, hinges cracked, text generally toned, inner covers worn, torn, text wrinkled, dampstained, several pencil entries faded). This diary has several passages about the Siege of Corinth (spelled “Corrinth” in this diary), starting with the Sunday May 4 entry: “This morning we started the March towards Corrinth Soon after starting it commenced raining an continued til sun down after Marching about 5 miles we camped during the night I was detailed as car [?] of the guard…” Also, this soldier appears to have been an eyewitness to the bloody Battle of Shiloh (he never specifically mentions the word “Shiloh,”), starting with Tuesday April 1: “To day We heard commanding up the Tenn River the weather is still very warm…” Sunday April 6: “This morning when we arose we heard the firing of infantry and soon after commenced the old cannon to toll [?] 1200 and still fight.” Monday April 7: “Last night a continual firing was kept up by our gun Boats And this morning the battle commenced as vigorously the day before it is now 10 @ PM and they are still fighting as hard as ever”.