Lot 611

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Description:

1865 CIVIL WAR DIARY OF JOHN W. HAMMOND, 2ND N.H. VOLS.
Fine content leather bound 1865 pocket diary kept by John W. Hammond, Co. A, N.H. 2nd Infantry, 12 mo., nearly every page filled with entries, in pencil. The 2nd New Hampshire was involved in several major campaigns, including Second Bull Run, and Gettysburg, where 22 men were killed, 113 wounded, and 37 were either captured or missing. Hammond was wounded in the hip on the second day of the battle, July 2nd. In the early part of 1865 the 2nd N.H. was involved in various raids near the Chesapeake, and helped establish a base of supply for General Sheridan's Raiders at White house, Va. The diary has some fine content, especially regarding the assassination of Lincoln. In part: "Jan. 25 front North James...Heavy firing down at the river last night...Feb. 4...yesterday there was considerable heavy firing in the direction of our left...Feb. 16...Heavy firing towards the left this P.M....Feb. 18...orders came to fall in at 2 o'clock to witness an execution...two men were hung till dead. Do not know the crime they were convicted of...Feb. 21...news of the capture of Charleston and Columbia...Salute fired of the victory...Feb. 22...Washington Birthday salutes fired...Mar. 7 Fredericksburg...captured a wagon train...Mar. 9...while at Norfolk most of our men run the guard and went uptown - many of them got liquor and became intoxicated and got into fights...Mar. 12...our calvary, the 1st N.Y. mounted rifles, met the enemy, Mosbys men, and had a short fight. The fight occured about five miles from our landing place...Mar. 15 White house landing...reported that Gen. Sheridan was expected here but that he passed Bottom Bridge four days ago...Mar. 16...Gen. Sheridan is requested to be moving to join us...Mar. 18...Sheridans cavalry make appearance on the otherside of the river...Mar. 24 Near Bottom Bridge...marched into the interior of the county & accompanied by Brig. of Sheridans calvary...Mar. 25 Near Harrisons Landing...heavy firing heard this morning...Mar. 29 Spring Hil, Va...This P.M. heard heavy firing in the direction of the left of our lines...Mar. 30...Firing heard nearly all day today in the direction of Pettersburg. Very heavy firing last night in the same direction...Apr. 2...officers intoxicated dress parade this P.M. Dispatcher received this P.M. that our troops were meeting with success in the battles in progress today...Petersburg captured...Apr. 3...Early this morning we were awoke by a heavy expolsion...as if shells...Apr. 3...Two deserters from Lee's army came to our camp today - They line on the Rappahanuck river and wish to go to their homes - They say many of the Va. soldiers are deserting with the same intention...Apr. 6...Last night the two deserters mentioned stopped in my tent and took breakfast...Apr.7...The enemy failed to attack as feared last night...went out about two miles and came to a house...there were rebs and true blue to their cause - returning stopped and had a talk with an old darky at a grist mill...Apr. 9...There was a salute of one hundred guns fired at Richmond and Petersburg in honor of the surrender of Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia...Apr. 11...Today Richmond is ours and the Army of Northern Virginia has surrendered...Apr. 12...after dress parade prisoners were all released on promise of better behavior in the future...Apr. 16...It is reported that Mosby has been in Richmond since the evacuation...Apr. 18...Yesterday learned that President Lincoln had been assassinated. This news caused a visable gloom over everyone. All the flags were displayed at half mast and minute guns fired...Apr. 23...By orders received from Maj. Cooper kept all prisoners at work all day, allowing only thirty minutes for dinner...Apr. 24...Today has been observed as a day of mourning through the army in around Richmond on account of the death of President Lincoln. Thirteen guns were fired at each fort at sunrise and one each half hour from that time till sunset when a national salute of thirty four guns was fired...10 o'clock A.M. a dress parade was held and orders for ceremonies read...Apr. 28...it does seem Gen. Sherman must have gone mad to make such terms with Johnson, and fear his acts will prolong the war six months...May 14 Manchester, Va...Reported that Jeff Davis is captured this P.M...May 15...The papers this morning contain official news of the capture of Jeff Davis...May 26...the secesh hearts they are not patriotic at all or else they do not remember we have been over four years fighting to put down their Southern Confederacy...June 1...Today is observed as a national fast in view of the death of our late President Abraham Lincoln. That prayer may be made that his death may prove of lasting benefit to the entire country, as the chaplain delivered a discourse founded on these words "Cast down but not destroyed"...June 11...posted on the Lynchburg Tpke. with orders to require passes of soldiers gaining towards Lynchburg and negros coming towards Richmond...". The remaining content pertains to camp life and personal matters. Later in December Hammond made his way to City Point, Va. where he was mustered out of service, and returned to N.H. Diary has fine content, especially notations regarding Lincoln's assassination.

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December 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

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