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[Civil War] 1862 Texas Cavalry CSA Diary. ...
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Sold on Jun 14, 2008 for:
$3,107.00
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Description
[Civil War] 1862 Texas Cavalry CSA Diary. Small 24mo leather purse containing the diary of a soldier who served with Company B of General Richard M. Gano's Texas cavalry, recording his movements and observations with that company from February 20 to May 17, 1862.The diary contains approximately 120 pages of penciled journal entries presumably written by "Washington C. Shane, Breckenridge, Dallas Co., Texas," whose name appears on the initial flyleaf and whose handwriting matches the journal entries. The diary contains an additional 17 disbound leaves bearing reminders and brief notations about debts owed to others, lists detailing the cost of clothing and supplies, several pages of mathematical calculations, work performed by others and the amounts they are owed, and more. These disbound leaves bear much later dates (1870, 1874, 1876, 1877) and were accomplished in the hand of one Marshall Cronise, as evidenced by a notice written on one of the disbound leaves: "This Book is the property of Marshall Cronise... Batetort, Virginia."
Shane's diary entries are well written and filled with information about his company's day-to-day activities, interesting personal observations, and comments about his comrades in arms. Beginning in Texas, the diary follows Company B's movements through the state, into Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, where Shane reconnects with friends from Kentucky, where he evidently grew up. A few excerpts follow:
"[February 20, 1862]... After doing all in my power towards settling up Pa's business and despairing of seeing him here, I concluded to wait no longer but to enter the service of my country and battle in its defense... vandal hordes already pollute our soil with their unhallowed tread... their wanton depredations and heartless cruelties perpetrated upon the property and persons of the 'Rebels'... Drs Gano and Huffman returned a few weeks ago from service in KY empowered by the War Department to raise a squadron of Texas Scouts for Gen. J.C. Breckenridge... I put my name down on Dr Huffman's muster role... [March 24, 1862]... Today a Beautiful Silk Flag was presented to the Squadron by the Ladies of Dallas through Miss Stone, daughter of Col. B.W. Stone."
Shane's diary reveals that, at least during the period he made these entries, he never saw battle, noting on May 10, 1862, that "I am anxious to be a soldier in reality as I think we have played soldier long enough." Nevertheless, this diary provides an excellent first-hand look at the life of a Confederate soldier from Texas. Accompanied by a typed letter identifying two former owners. Leather purse is well worn. Interior leaves show light toning overall. Diary entries penciled on several of the disbound leaves have been completely erased to allow for their use as notepaper. Very good.
Auction Info
2008 June Signature Texana Auction #6003 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2008
14th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 714
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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