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Chaplain Joseph Twichell's Memorandum Book (71st New York Volunteers, Army of the Potomac). ...
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Description
Chaplain Joseph Twichell's Memorandum Book (71st New York Volunteers, Army of the Potomac). Twichell, who would later become one of Samuel Clemens' closest friends, was entrusted with soldiers' personal information, including addresses for communicating with relatives and money. The chaplain has written numerous notes covering various subjects throughout this 4" x 6" book. He has written the addresses of soldiers (and relatives) with instructions to write them. On one page is written a list of wounded soldiers with the locations of their wounds ("Patrick McGrath, finger/ Adam Fox, Co. F, side/ John Murphy, mortally. . . .") There are other lists of various items, including a list of soldiers next to monetary amounts under the heading, "Money deposited for safekeeping." Miscellaneous notes exist throughout, such as "spectacles repaired for Mr. Skinner", "Plug tobac. for Theister", and "3 blouses for Gen. [Daniel] Sickles". On one page is written three times, each ready to be torn out, "Admit the bearer to an ambulance./ J. J. McGowan/ Surgeon 2nd Excelsior." Another page contains a letter written by "B Franklin/ 1st Lieut 2d Regt. Excelsior Brig." concerning a "colored man named Henry, arrested this morning."Also included is an autograph letter signed, two pages, 8" x 10", May 27, 1863 (Twichell's twenty-fifth birthday), from "Second Regt. Excelsior Brigade, Near Falmouth Va." notifying "Harry" (possibly Yale classmate Henry Upson or Harry Hopkins, a chaplain in Washington and former schoolmate of Twichell's at seminary) of the need for a chaplain in the 1st Regiment. In part: "Mr Horton late chaplain of the 1st Regt. has resigned and gone home to his female and progeny. His place is vacant. Dr. Ash the Surgeon of the Regt. asked me a few days since if I had any available friend whom I would recommend to fill it. I mentioned you of course and gave the particulars. He promised to lay the matter before the Colonel and report. Yesterday he called again and desired me to communicate with you and ascertain if you would accept the appointment. . . . There is little of pleasant society to be anticipated by one who becomes a Chaplain there." Weakness exists at the seams.
Twichell (1838-1918) graduated from Yale in 1859; he was attending Union Seminary when the Civil War began. He was soon serving as chaplain for the 71st New York Volunteers, commanded by Daniel E. Sickles. After the war, he became a leader at a Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut, where he served the rest of his life. While there, he became acquainted with Samuel Clemens in 1868. After Clemens moved into Twichell's neighborhood, they became very close friends. Twichell became Clemens' advisor, often traveling abroad with him. Clemens' even modeled the character Harris in A Tramp Abroad on Twichell. Twichell's memorandum book is bound in leather wrappers which are worn and moderately fragile. Many pages have been removed, likely by Twichell. On the back cover is affixed a piece of toned paper with "Memorandum book. Army of the Potomac. 1861-1864." Overall in good condition.
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