Rare Battle of the Crater "Billy" Mahone Reunion Booklet

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021

A rare turn of the century United Confederate Veteran's battle of the Crater Anniversary booklet, 11pp. 4to., on heavy woven paper, anonymously printed in red type, in paper wraps. Previously printed in 1876, this printing was no doubt published on the dedication of that unit's monument on the battle of the Crater battlefield Petersburg, Va., by the Daughters of the Confederacy in November, 1910. Entitled: "Mahone's Brigade. A Metrical Address. Recited on the Anniversary of the battle of the Crater before the Surviving Officers and Men of Mahone's Brigade. By Captain James Barron Hope." The poem, reads, in very small part: "àto all the heroes whose enacted parts gave fame immortal to Mahone's Brigadeàcleft from a rockàthe Private Soldier of Mahone's Brigade!àto answer calls of trumpets and drums-so came the Soldier of Mahone's Brigadeàmen of the Ranks, step proudly to the frontàin[to] the red battle's fierce and deadly bruntàfor those who fell be yours the sacred trustàkeep them in your heartsàraise up, O' State! a shaft to pierce the sky, [referring to the monument dedicated to General William Mahone in 1895] to him the private who was but fail in his duty-not to dieàthe work of blood and tears is doneànow that we've lost, as was fore doomedàlet us plant olives on the rugged way once proudly trodden by Mahone's Brigadeàwho has forgotten at the deadly Mine how our great Captainàyour General to retake the captured line? How it was done you knowàand youàwon that for which Lee prayedà"Heroes" swept that fieldàbeneath the "Stars and Bars" you marchedàto Bushrod Johnson's aidàyou chargedàwent forward in your rush, Mahone's Brigade! In front stood deathàmortal man has rarely [seen]àthere you defeated Burnside's boasted corps, and did an Army's work, Mahone's Brigade! my prophecy is made. The State will make it good, Mahone's Brigade!" Union forces exploded a mine tunneled under the Confederate defensive works at Petersburg, Va., on July 30, 1864. An attack, spearheaded by Black troops followed, but the attacking forces, both black and white, were massacred by Confederates under the command of "Billy" Mahone. Mahone's actions that day at the Crater made him an instant Confederate hero and he was immediately promoted major general. After the war was over the veterans of his brigade proudly returned to the site to proudly remember their triumph victory over the Union attackers that day and honor their commander, William Mahone. A fine addition for the Confederate historian's library that seldom appears in the marketplace. Near fine, disbound, but complete.

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