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Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Union Army Soldier's Daily Civil War Journal Written while stationed in Loui

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:375.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 800.00 USD
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Union Army Soldier's Daily Civil War Journal Written while stationed in Loui
SOLD
500.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2022 Jul 27 @ 16:03UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 10th to May 19th, without year but almost certainly 1863. Four Handwritten Pages from a Civil War journal, written by a Union Army soldier, Black handwriting on patriotic stationary with a colorful eagle and American shield at top left corner. The unknown author describes the weather and events from the day, as well as the latest news regarding the ongoing conflict of the American Civil War. The journal begins with the soldier (probably an officer) having dinner with officers of the 4th Wisconsin Company and with Captain (Regard?) of a Negro Company. He writes on Tuesday, May 12th that "we got the news through rebel papers of Gen Hooker Victory we are much glad to here [sic] it if it is true & to here [sic] of Stonewall Jackson destruction hope it will prove true." The victory mentioned is likely the Battle of Chancellorsville, which was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. The campaign pitted Union Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's Army of the Potomac against an army less than half its size, General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Stonewall Jackson was wounded by friendly fire in this battle, requiring his left arm to be amputated, and he died of pneumonia eight days later. This event reasonably accounts for the author's hopeful mention of Jackson's "destruction" (i.e. death) in this journal entry. The author goes on to write on Monday, May 18th that "I seen [sic] in the eve papers that our men are doing a good thing between Ponchatoula [sic] & Camp More they captured 55 prisoners 20 horses & 60 muskets" and goes on to write how this area was where Bragg's army "got most of their supplies they tore up all the bridges & telegraph wire," in addition to rail road stations, gun carriages, wagons and cars, a large shoe factory, a saw mill, and a grist mill. He notes that this damage "will be a grate [sic] defeat to the rebels more than a large Battle." The last entry, dated Tuesday, May 19th, mentions army activity at Baton Rouge, writing that "Gen Dudley has again been in the rear of Port Hudson drove the rebels all before him taking some Prisoners" and cattle. The author also writes that five deserters from the Confederate army also came "in side of our lines." Fascinating and unique historical document providing a first-hand account of a Union soldier's life during the Civil War while stationed in Louisiana. VF condition.