LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

74436

Confederate Soldier's Pocket Diary From Texas

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Confederate Soldier's Pocket Diary From Texas
<B>Confederate Soldier's Pocket Diary From Texas,</B></I> approximately 60 pages, 3” x 4.75”, 1862 - 1866. The entries in this small book are written in pencil by Private John Moore, who saw service in Co. “D”, 24th Texas Cavalry and Co. “B”, 21st Texas Cavalry. His wartime experiences appear to have all taken place west of the Mississippi. Much of the material was recorded as it happened, however the later passages are written in narrative form after the fact. As is often the case, the author used up the remaining pages of his diary as a Reconstruction-era account book. Sample entries are as follows: “ (September 11, 1862) <I>I gave up my shotgun and received in exchange an Enfield rifle No. 9229…</B></I> (January 11, 1863) <I>Arkansas Post and all the troops there was surrendered to the Federals</B></I>…(April 18, 1863) <I>I entered Missouri in Jno Marmaduke's Cavalry Division. Encamped at Donathan in a hard rain without tents or other shelter…</B></I> (April 20, 1863) <I>Carter's Regt and Pratt's Battery attacked the town of Patterson. It was occupied by a Missouri Regt and at the first fire of the Battery they abandoned the town and set fire to it. We pursued for 6 miles when we overtook them and killed 20…</B></I> (February 24, 1864) <I>Parson's Brigade was disbanded at Marshall, Texas and all the men were allowed to go to their Homes…</B></I> (April 8, 1864) <I>left the camp near Marshall made a forced march for the scene of action near Mansfield La and got there on the morning of the 10th. On the 8th our forces met Banks near Mansfield and gained a brilliant victory. They drove them back several miles with heavy loss in killed and wounded. Captured about 2,000 prisoners, 20 pieces of Artillery and a very large number of wagons…</B></I> (April 23, 1864) <I>Still following the enemy. They burnt nearly every house on the road, killed all the hogs, sheep and cattle they could find and took away most all the negroes...</B></I> (February 12, 1865) <I>left camp near New Salem and went to Crockett where we turned over our guns and drew short cavalry Enfields…</B></I> (Written later) <I>…Co. B went to Austin got there on the 24th </B></I> (May)<I>and on the 35th disbanded…weary and disheartened by the failure of gaining our independence after my three years four months and seven days in the army…</B></I>”. The cover of the diary is quite worn with some loss to one panel. Internally, the entries are faded to varying degrees and there is moderate staining throughout. Overall good condition. Included with the diary are two fascinating photo postcards, each showing Private Moore as he appeared in 1861 and, again, in 1911. In the 20th century image the elderly Moore proudly wears a UDC Southern Cross of Honor.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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