2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
War-date Union soldier's diary, penned by Henry Squire, Co. D, 72nd New York, who mustered in June 20, 1861, was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, and was quickly released. This 1863 pocket sized daily diary, records his experiences from January through the 4th of July, with excellent content on the battle and his capture, as well as his pastimes of baseball and football, it reads in part: "…[1/5]…Lieut Mann [WIA at Gettysburg] sent me over to a house to arrest a man. I found him in the barn…[1/15]…Leroy Martin and I were put on guard for being absent from roll call…[1/16] Leroy [says] that he will desert if he gets a chance…[1/17]…Leroy gets drunk and busts open the door and makes an awful smudge…[1/20]…There is talk of a move but the Regt swear that they will not go until they are payed…[1/24]…Leroy and Jake [Francis] Ferry desert…[3/2]…Been promoted to a corporal…[3/5]…Capt. [William A.] Post [WIA Chancellorsville] takes charge of Co. D. The 3rd Regt. shot for the prize, John Born [Bourn] of Co. D won the first prize…[3/11]…Skirmish drill in the forenoon…[3/27]…We were thoroughly inspected in the morning. I have been playing base ball…[3/30]…I have been playing base ball…[4/2]…Been playing football, the right wing against the left and they broke the ball…[4/3]…another game of football in the afternoon, the left beat the right…[4/4]…Been playing football gain…[4/5]…Been playing forty five with Wm. Johnson [WIA Gettysburg]…[4/7]…Been detailed to go over to Corps headquarters for guard when Old Abe came…[4/8]…Old Abe inspects the whole army of the Potomac…[4/10]…The President returns to Washington the 3rd Corps was all marched to Headquarters to see him off…[4/26]…A division review by Gen. Berry…[4/27]…A Corps review by General Sickles ordered to get ready for a movement…[4/29]…We can hear some firing I think that our fellows are laying the pontoons across the river…[5/1]…We cross the river about noon do picketing on our right for about an hour then start off in a hurry…[5/2]…Laid in line of battle all day with the expectations of being brought in. Quite a number of prisoners brought in. The corps gives away we are called up to stop the panic for the front…[5/3]…We have a hard fight with the Johnny's they took [Sgt. William H.] Ough, Cox, [Thomas J.] Averill, Ward, [Henry] Crocker & me…[[5/4]…The Johnnys march us on without giving us anything to eat. The women came out all along the roads to see us. The Johnny give us a little dry soup…[5/5]…It is rumored that Gen. Lee is dead and that Jackson has been wounded. The Johnnys are trading with our fellows…[5/6]…We are laying under guard. I heard that Capt. Post was wounded…[5/7]…Start out for Richmond in the afternoon, they have been giving out more rations of flour but our Regt. didn't get any…[5/8]…We cross the North Anna pass any quantity of Rebels that appear to be guarding the railroad. They gave us 3 crackers for a days ration…[5/9]…We cross the South Anna I bought of a Negro two small biscuit for one dollar…[5/10]…I feel a little better after having had a good nights sleep. They take our name for parole…[5/11]…They give us our breakfast about 12 o'clock and about 1 gill of pea soup for supper rather rough for a fellow that has been living U.S…[5/12]…We sign our paroles expect to be sent away soon…[5/13]…Leave the Libby [Prison] about 4 PM and march 20 miles when it rains so hard and is so dark that we cannot see…[5/14]…Start on our way to City Landing…[5/15]…Stop at Fortress Monroe and take on more grub…[5/20]…leave camp…a little past Point Lookout…[5/24]…The officers have considerable trouble in getting the men out to work…[5/26]…The General has sent a regt of soldiers to make the boys work, they have taken on about half of them….[6/1]…Henry A Crocker [POW Chancellorsville] went home on a furlough he went off in good spirits…[6/2]…Cox tried hard to get a furlough again but couldn't…[6/3]…Maj. McBlair paid off the Brigade…The convalescents all ordered to report to their regiments that are able to get about…Governor of New York here…[6/9]…Lieut Hall [WIA Fair Oaks, WIA & POW Chancellorsville] came in camp to stay with us until we are exchanged…[6/12]…Fisher [POW Chancellorsville] and I tried to get a pass to go to the city of Alexandria…[6/13]…Waite [POW Chancellorsville] and I tried to get a pass to go to Alexandria but we could not so we ran the guard…[6/14]…Our sutlers Graham and Cosnac came here they say that the Army is on the move toward Washington…[6/21] Very heavy firing in the direction of Manassas the report is that our men have been retreating again…[6/22]…Newspapers say that there has been a large cavalry fight [Brandy Station] and that our fellows drove the Johnnys…[6/28]…The papers state that Hooker has been relieved of his command…[6/29]…It is thought that old Stuart will make a raid in here tonight, moving all the property out of Alexandria…[7/4]…the dullest fourth I ever saw…" VG. Much more interesting content.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.