Lot 385
A CIVIL WAR JOURNAL AND MEMOIR. Comprising a large format loose bound journal of 35 handwritten pages measuring 8 inches x 10 inches each, inscribed in ink by a yet unknown member of Co. C, 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The journal covers a period of approximately two months, beginning with the first entry dated New Bern, North Carolina (March 1865) to Augusta, Georgia. The writing style is smooth, well-constructed and insightful. The author is obviously well-educated and talented well beyond the typical author of most Civil War journals. The entries would seem to be indigenous to the period and events being described. Likely representing only a fragment of a perhaps a once larger journal (or set of journals), as there are indications his service spanned over three years. Some writing examples include:

“Battling together & suffering in common with one another has united our Regt like a Band of Brothers, and no Co. is more closely united that is Co C.”

“No fancy pen can adequately describe the suffering of this wronged Southern people- the poor class called the ‘white trash’ by the Southern aristocrat.”

“Elbowing my way into the anxious gazing crown of ‘blue coats’ I beheld standing on the platform of the car the center of attraction in the person of Maj. Gen. Wm. Tecumseh Sherman carrying on an easy conversation with his brother, Senator Sherman of Ohio and several Maj. & Brig. Generals who had clustered around the illustrious chieftain. Gen. Sherman is a tall spare built man, light complexion. Is a common looking unassuming man and on this occasion was dressed in a plain but neatly fitted military suit and wore a low crowned slouched hat.”

“But when it was announced that Gen. Lee had surrendered himself & army of Northern Virginia to Gen. Grant on the 9” inst the enthusiasm & excitement of the soldiers of this Post knew no bounds.”

“All were cheered to think there were such bright prospects of a speedy close of this most cruel Civil war which they had already carried mourning to most every household in the land. The men thought they could see the black cloudy war dispelling before the Star of peace.”

“On the 16” of April in the midst of our rejoicing over gladsome war news a gloom was cast over our Camp by the announcement that President Lincoln had been assassinated by J.W. Booth at Ford’s Theatre Washington City on the evening of 14” inst. And that an attempt had also been made to murder Secretary Seward. All rejoicing was turned into sorrow. Never before had I seen sorrow so plainly depicted on the countenances of men. Among soldiers all thoughts of leniency toward ReBel leaders were smothered and the voice of the men was ‘Hang or banish every Rebel leader (civil or military).’ A few days afterwards an order from Gen. Grant announced that a badge of mourning would be worn on the left arm by the officers for the term of 30 days. Officers swords were also to be draped in mourning for the same length of time. Our colors were to be draped in mourning for the term of 6 months.”

“It had now been 32 months since we left Iowa City headed toward Dixie & were then more anxious to get to the land of cotton than we now are to get ‘home again’.”, “But thank God their blood has not been shed in vain. The Rebellion is crushed The Union Saved And the old flag again waves in triumph from the Rio Grande to the Historic Potomac and from the Everglades of Florida to the Prairies of our own Iowa.”

Together with another journal containing the memoir of apparently a different Iowa veteran of the Civil War, also apparently serving with the 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and likely Co. C. The writings, both in ink and pencil, are contained in a bound ledger style journal, measuring 12 inches x 8 inches and comprising over 110 handwritten pages. While the ledger itself certainly dates to the war period, it seems likely that the handwritten entries may have been executed in part or in whole after the war, possibly from a diary or other source. The journal begins with the “Great Red River Expedition.” – March 1864 and would seem to conclude in February 1865, but also includes a great deal of statistical data regarding the Iowa 28th Volunteer Regiment such as KIA, wounded in action and the like, which postdates this time. Overall, the memoirs recall a great amount of detail regarding specific battles and engagements as well as interesting observations and other commentary all within the scope of the Iowa 28th Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

While the penmanship is clearly by a different hand than the previously described journal and the style of writing different as well, it would seem likely that the two journals are somehow related beyond the Iowa 28th Vol. Regiment.
Estimate:  $3,000 - 5,000   € 2,400 - 4,000

unsold