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1863 Gettysburg Diary

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
1863 Gettysburg Diary
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Gettysburg Civil War diary by William M. Ballou of Co. F in the 16th Vermont Infantry, whose brief service included the most pivotal battle of the war. At Gettysburg, the 16th Vermont helped reinforce a picket line along Cemetery Ridge and played a key role in the Union repulse of Pickett's Charge. The 1863 diary has a printed ''Daily Pocket Remembrancer for 1863'' with ''keepsake for War'' and ''William M. Ballou Memorandum Company F 16th Vt'' written in Ballou's hand. Entries date 1 January - 27 December 1863 and each entry is short and succinct as the diary has three dates per page. Written in pencil, entries include: ''…was in the fort at Centerville expecting the enemy every moment. Was on guard at night…there was a company and battalion drill. Wrote a letter to Glenn Barker. Was on guard all night…before Col. Slaughthorn's house…had an inspection of arms and ammunition…'' The Gettysburg entries read: 1 July 1863: ''…started at 10 oclock & marched in Gettysburg and camped for the night…'' 2 July: ''…we marched out under a hill & was under heavy fire all morn [and] afternoon. The 13th charged on Battery & took prisoners [?]'' 3 July: ''…is a very hot day Was under heavy firing all day. We charged on the Rebs and took batle flags. David [Ballou] is wounded in the leg…'' Diary measures 2.5'' x 4'' and leather has wear, pages have toning and writing is faint for some entries. Lot also includes two additional 1869 and 1877 diaries by Ballou. In very good condition.