LOT #57610 |
Sold on Dec 12, 2009 for:
Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
Civil War U.S. Army Payroll Ledger....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Civil War U.S. Army Payroll Ledger. Accounts for the military use of civilians in central Arkansas in 1864 and 1865. Thick folio; 274pp. (plus 42 unnumbered pages) are engrossed and dated September 1864 through September 1865, Little Rock, Arkansas. According to the entries, the majority of civilians hired repaired railroads around Little Rock or transported "troops and stores" by steamboat on the Arkansas River.In dark black ink on the cover is written, "1864. September. October. November. December./ 1865. January. February. May. July. September." Stamped on the spine, "Report of Persons and Articles Hired/ Capt. J. R. Pratt/ A. Q. M." Printed at the top of each opening, "Report of Persons and Articles employed and hired at _____ during the Month of ___ 186_, by Captain J. H. Pratt, Assistant Quartermaster United States Army." (Captain James Hervey Pratt, from Hillsdale County, Michigan, was promoted to assistant quartermaster in February 1863. He mustered out in 1866.) Each opening contains forty-five rows of entries. Twenty-one columns include "Names of Persons and Articles", "Designation and Occupations", time in service, compensation, "Amount of Rent or Pay in the Month", remarks, and more. Many of the civilians were identified as "Labourer", "Fireman", "Master Mechanic", "Teamster", "Painter", "Carpenter", "Loco. Engineer", "Wharf Master", "Dock Hand", and more. At least one woman was identified as "Chamber Maid". Some workers were paid by the day, others by the month. The "Remarks" column contains specific information on the tasks being done:"Transporting Troops & Stores on the Arkansas River," "For putting two Locomotives on the track," "For cutting and delivering 100 cords Wood," etc. Most of the men were "Employed on the U.S. Military Rail Road between Little Rock, Ark. and Devalls Bluff, Ark", covering a distance of fifty-four miles.
Beginning in October 1864, several steamboats (including the Chippewa, the Annie Jacobs, the Carrie Jacobs, the Alamo, and others) were employed by the U.S. Military and accounted for in this ledger. Most were used for "Transporting troops and stores on the Arkansas River." Many of the civilians assigned to the military's use of the steamboats had occupations listed as pilots, mates, captains, and cabin boys. At times, such as in September 1865, the government paid for a steamship's "full crew" to transport "Gov't Stores" on the Arkansas River. Other civilians were employed for jobs such as "Cook for Wagon Train", "Gov't Stables", "Teamsters in Wagon Trains".
While over 300 pages are engrossed, the majority of the ledger is unengrossed. Bound in a handsome and unusual patterned light brown suede and reddish-brown polished calf over heavy boards. Spine is comprised of alternating suede, calf, and gilt-stamped blue leather title labels. Edges of back board lightly worn. Hinges reinforced. Entire binding is covered in protective light brown burlap with hand-lettering in ink to spine and front cover. Burlap has been glued to pastedowns and is snug to front board but has come loose from back board and spine, revealing the original leather binding beneath; burlap is wrinkled and spotted, with a few inoffensive stains and two holes to spine. A tight and solid binding in very good condition.
Auction Info
2009 December Signature Arms & Militaria Including Civil War Auction #6021 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2009
12th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,293
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms