June 2021 Auction Ends Thursday, June 24th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/24/2021
Civil War diary from 1862 by an unidentified soldier in the 30th Massachusetts Infantry. Nearly every day in the leather diary is filled out, with 3 days per page. The 30th Massachusetts was raised by General Benjamin Butler and the diarist makes frequent mention of him, as well as of Colonel Jonas French, with the entry on 7 January 1862 reading, ''Col. French put man in irons for asking leave of absence.'' He also notes on 16 May 1862 that ''Butler orders making every secesh woman who expresses her sentiments a prostitute'', which was the controversial ''General Order No. 28'' that some interpreted as sanctioning rape. He lists various soldiers who died in late July and early August from disease, and mentions the Battle of Baton Rouge in several entries, although he was sick and didn't participate. With other interesting content throughout, such as the mention of a Colonel from the 4th Wisconsin getting shot ''while going to rob a man's house'' and this June 24th entry regarding burning Grand Gulf: ''Started 2 AM up a bayou to attack the Rebs and the men at G. Gulf threw canisters at a few flying rebels. Burned and sacked G. Gulf.'' He also mentions catching guerillas, being sent to Vicksburg where they landed amid mortar fire, and other men in camp, such as a Lieutenant tying a man to a tree to ''abuse him''. Several entries from Ship's Island in the Gulf of Mexico record ships entering and leaving port, regiments and supplies arriving and which ships had sunk or were beached. Entries are mostly in pencil and many are faded, but lot comes with near full transcription. A few loose pages are tucked in back as well, and treatment for diarrhea is written in the memo section. Diary measures 5'' x 3''. Some chipping to leather, but overall in good condition.
1862 Civil War Diary by a Soldier in the 30th Massachusetts Infantry -- ''...Butler orders making every secesh woman who expresses her sentiments a prostitute...''
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