Description

This is a wonderful early piece with very nice sentiments and solid CW era ID. Copyright indicates 1843 and the published date on frontispiece indicates 1851 so likely a family piece. It measures 2 3/4″ x 4 1/2″ and is 1 1/2″ thick. Typical of such pocket pieces it has staining, wear and evidence of some moisture on the outer pages and edges. Just the type of used character one looks for in a soldier ID’d piece. The soldier’s name and regiment are inscribed inside in typical pencil script. Information gleaned from records indicates he enlisted September 1861 at age 20 as a private. He mustered  into the 13th MI Infantry January 1862, was wounded at Chickamauga, re-enlisted in 1864, and survived the war being mustered out in July, 1865. During his enlistment time the 13th Michigan’s record is very impressive. They served from Shiloh in 1862 (arriving with Buell) through to Chickamauga and all the way to Savannah and Bentonville in 1865. The inscription near the back is poignant and touching. Wish we knew who “E.H.H.” was. Also has a single name written in much more faded pencil, on the page opposite his which appears to be Mary C. C______ Bass. This also looks like a writing rule was employed, a more common practice in earlier times among the refined. In the back, on one of the blank back pages is also written in pencil what appears to be “Mary C. Collyer”, likely the same person. Possibly worthy of some genealogical work. Quite rare to find an identified piece that was carefully kept and likely carried by a fellow who made it virtually through the entire war, served in significant campaigns, was wounded at a major engagement, and reenlisted to serve to the end. This fellow had sand, and FAITH! Had this in our religious collection for a long time. Time to pass it on now. Please refer to photos for further description of the item.