LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Oct: The Luhrs Collection #9675  / 

61079

Civil War Journal of a Private 1st Mass Vols.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:190.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
Civil War Journal of a Private 1st Mass Vols.
<B>Civil War Journal of a Private in the 1st Massachusetts Volunteers.</B></I> Written on 39 pages of a folio sized (8” x 13”) journal with marbled boards, leather spine and corners, front board detached, boards significantly worn, loss to spine, internal contents sound, else very good. Oliver C. Cooper enlisted on May 22, 1861 and served until April 19, 1863, when he was discharged as a result of wounds sustained at Yorktown, Virginia. He titled his journal “<B><I>Notes and Recollections of Army Life: Experiences as a Soldier during the two years of the Rebellion</B></I></B></I>” and begins his account: “<I>Whatever may be the future destiny of our country, A.D. 1861 will ever be remembered by the American people as a year of events and of excitements</B></I>.” His story is studded with well-written anecdotes, of his brief service, which unfortunately space prevents a complete account so a few must suffice for cataloging purposes: “<I>On the 11th of April, ’61, I joined the 'Chelsea Light Infantry', then filling up its ranks with the view of proceeding to the seat of war in the Fifth Massachusetts Militia for three months</B></I>”; of the events of his wounding he writes: “<I>I was shot through the left thigh. The blow had the effect of an electric shock, and doubled me up for an instant. But, recovering myself, I kept on after the company, which by this time had reached the edge of a ditch…sent a volley after the retreating Rebs. But one man was found in the work when our boys entered it. He had remained there, he said, because he had 'received no orders to retreat!' Bully boy! He was relieved of his musket, and conducted to the rear. I succeeded in getting into the ditch, but was unable to make further progress on account of the increasing pain in my leg</B></I>.” The remainder of the journal includes several pages of newspaper clippings, reunion notices, etc. which include stories about Cooper or interested him. Tailored for additional research. <I>From the collection of Henry E. Luhrs.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Books & Catalogs (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot