Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
1865 diary of Enoch Stephens, mustered into the 84th NY in August 1861, transferred 5th NY Vet. Vol. in June 1864. The small diary is clearly written in pencil, with excellent content, including enlisting with General Hancock for one year, new recruits arriving daily, being assigned new Springfield rifles, guns being fired from all forts in Alexandria Va. and Washington D.C. in celebration of the fall of Richmond, Torch light parades in Washington D.C. in celebration of the fall of Richmond, and “A large number of bounty brokers and females of bad character running about camp”, marching to Winchester and Harpers Ferry, troops being reviewed by both President Johnson and Genl’s Grant and Sherman, a salute was fired in celebration of the surrender of Genl. Johnston to Genl. Sherman, a flag of truce from Confederate General Mosby’s men being surrendered, captured rebel soldiers and guarding prisoners, and on May 1 “….visited a house near the camp. The residence of Mr. Wall. The mansion is constructed of brick, and is literally pierced with bullets. The occupants have witnessed several severe contests”. Continues with dealing with local Negros, and black soldiers waiting to get paid, a day set aside for fasting in remembrance of the late President Lincoln. The truly historic Lincoln content is as follows: April 15 “….Received intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln which caused great consternation among the troops….”. April 19 “….Drills and parade suspended on account of the Presidents funeral in Washington….”. April 28 “….Received the intelligence that Booth the assassin of the President had been found secreted in a barn in Maryland and had been shot by a Sgt. Of Cavalry named Corbett”. June 30 “….Regiment moved to Washington in order to guard the Conspirators. The Regt. Encamped near Capitol Hill on account of the filth. Was named Camp Hell”. July 7 “….Witness at the arsenal the execution of Mrs., Surratt, Atzerodt, Paine and Herold….”. While diaries and letters do appear on the market with content pertaining to Lincoln’s assassination, this is the first diary we have encountered that was owned by a soldier that guarded the Lincoln Assassination Conspirators, and actually witnessed the execution of the Conspirators. A true Lincoln rarity.
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