Lot 879
CIVIL WAR DIARY OF PVT. JOHN G. CALDWELL, 23RD MASS. VOLS.
A great war-date Union soldier's leather bound pocket diary kept by Pvt. John G. Caldwell, Co. B, 23rd Mass. Vols. who used a pre-printed 1861 diary to record events from Nov. 1861 through Dec. 1862. Initially, Caldwell began by chronicling his regiment's trip from Lynnfield, Mass. to the front in November 1861. At that time, he made daily entries in the appropriate date space. In part: "…[Nov. 12, 1861]…arrived at N. York 1 o'clock…went to the park barracks…[Nov. 14]…every horse or mule has US marked on his…shoulder… [Nov. 15]…arrived in Annapolis…[Nov. 17]…Gen. Burnside reviewed the Regt this afternoon…". Then he discontinued writing until Jan. 6, 1862 at which time he made but one entry, reading, in part: "…got underweigh…came to anchor 1/2 past 12…an officer came in a tug and said the place was strongly fortified, 10 gun boats and a lot of sch…we have got to fight for we are about 3 miles from the shore. Our gunboats are going to attack them. One Corp. has come on board from the Hussar of the left wing…". Next, he used the rear of the diary to chronicle their advance on and the battle of New Bern, beginning on Mar. 13, 1862. These entries are unlimited in their descriptions and read, in small part: "…[Mar. 13]…we got in the boats…when we got to the shore we had to jump about up to our knees, some up to their necks…then we landed in another place. The gunboats sent some shots then[we] commenced our march in search of the enemy. The first thing was some rebel barracks occupied by rebel cavalry. They fled as soon as they knew we was coming leaving lots of stores…the next thing that stopped us was a rebel battery. It was a large one…[Mar. 14]…the fight commenced at about half past nine. The enemy was behind a battery. Our gunboats threw some shells and then the fight began…after a hard fight the enemy retreated toward Newbern. Gen. Burnside has possession of Newbern…I thought Morehead was infernal, but this was twice as bad. There was any quanity of holes…capable of holding 4 or 5 men, huge trees and vines interlacing one another so as to be almost impassable…and 3 or 4 batteries with in all 32 brass cannon. They…fled towards Newbern over the Neuse river [bridge] which they burned to prevent us coming but our boats carried us over…[Mar. 15]…the inhabitants left in 50 cars drawn by 3 engines. Gen. Burnside threw shells from the gunboats and 3 of them went over the cars. Splendid houses are now occupied by soldiers. Some of the people remain…we the 23 are in camp about a half mile from the city…[Mar. 17]…as much as twenty boats come in here…with black men, women and children. There was a scouting party…in the country and they got six or seven horses…[Mar. 19]…I see a great deal of smoke towards the town of Goldsboro…the rebels have set fire to the town…[Mar. 20]…the people of Kinston…burnt all their cotton and turpentine yesterday and that was the great smoke I saw…". Finally, Caldwell returned to the beginning of the diary (January 1, 1861) and from here he began a detailed account of their occupation of New Bern from May 11 -Dec. 22, 1862. In small part: "…[May 11]…I have been to the negro butchers to see them kill our beef, four negroes and one of our boys…met Mr. Jacobs…he said he was in prison when we took the place…he got out that day…[May 18]…I heard an awful noise. I went in search of the one that was yelling…looked out the window and there was a negroe…screeching at the top of his voice. He waked the Gen. up…he wanted to know what it was [about]…the old fellow was full of religion. One of our horse pickets told me his regt shot 13…rebels…I saw a Lieut. on crutches. He was shot in the leg. He went in the see Gen. B[urnsi]de…[May 22]…a man fainted at guard mounting…I found a bunch of negroes at the generals quarters…with 25 horses on one stack…[May 23]…a sailor fell in a hard fit. We brought him in the house, had to put a gage in his mouth so he would not chew his tongue. He yells so that you can hear him in the next street. I think he is drugged…[May 24]…on guard at the paymasters. The women all of them chew snuff on a stick…[May 25]…a sailor got drunk ashore…he was in the water so the guard could not get him…he cut up diving and pitching in the water…[May 26]…400 of our men just arrived from Salisbury, prisoners of war. Some were taken at Bull Run…[May 29]…there was a nigger wedding back of our house last night. I went in…they were dancing and singing and having a good time…[May 30]…400 Bull Run prisoners [are] in the city rather fought. There was a cry of murder last night. It was a crazy man in the hospital…[June 1]…Black men can go to church. Burnside went to church in bluff pants, high top boots, blue coat, paramour hat. He [went with]…Gov. Stanley [who was] dressed as civilian…[June 3]…started for the guard review. First came Gov. Stanley…Gen. Foster and the old Noble…then came all their staff. They passed us then we passed in review…[June 4]…every nigh you meet in the streets makes a big bow to you. 600 Bull Run prisoners came in here…[June 8]…the boys are fussing with the niggers in the yard…it ended in a fight between a negro man and woman…[June 9]…there was six men of the 24 Mass. and one Marine Artillery buried yesterday. Killed in a fight at Washington on the 6th of June…[June 11]…had a nice ride on that beseech horse that we got…at Batchelor's Creek…[June 12]…our troops are going up the railroad again. The Gen. had a steam engine come over the new bridge…[June 13]…we have a dumb orderly sergeant. Another man was drowned…[June 15]…a horse got away. Smashed up Capt. Mix's gig…[June 9]…I saw a negro floating in the water. This man was drowned 9 days ago…[June 17]…two steam engines go over the road to Beaufort. The [Burnside's railroad] Monitor went to Morehead City this morning. There was a man caught carrying salt to the rebels…[June 18]…Col. Kurtz is Provost Marshall of Newbern…[June 19]…at the Baltimore House the ladies…smoke cigars…[June 20]…there is going to be a sword presented to Gen. Burnside…we went on the guard review. It was on a large field…storm clouds came as black as midnight…it cast a halo on the troops…the general stood on two casinos…and had his sword presented…it was a splendid one…[June 21]…the gun boats are practicing with big guns on a target…[June 24]…one of the Cats [prostitute] shot a man. He died soon after. Her name is Em French. She is in jail with three others. Traders are coming in quite fast from N. Y…[June 27]…saw a prisoner taken in a skirmish by the 17[th Mass.] He was shot 4 times and cut by a saber on his ear. He has just got his parole of honor and is going home…[June 28]…one of our men wounded in the battle of Newbern came back today…[June 29]…we went to church this morning. Gen. Burnside was there. One cannot get tired of looking at him. He looks so noble…[July 4]…on guard at the Generals…the bells were rung and the guns fired…the streets were trimmed with the U. States flags. A flag of truce come in…our pickets took…blind folded their eyes. They went into the Gen's. under the old flag. They was followed by a lot of citizens with there furniture…[July 6]…all the 2nd and 3rd brigades have gone on some expedition with the Gen…[July 8]…Em French goes to Washington tomorrow…[July 9]…I went to a niggar hoe down…rather a strong oder, plenty of honey here now…we have to drill in dress coats and white gloves…[July 15]…opposite my post there lives a lad 10 yrs old who lost his leg at the battle of Newbern. Sesech tried to set fire to a gunboat…caught the man…[July 25]…one man in the 27[th Mass.] was struck by lightening and killed, two were stunned. Trouble on post. Five sentries shot at…[July 26]…our regt. started with Gen. Foster…pulled down five hoses , cut up the fruit trees and corn. Gen. told them if there was another sentry shot he would burn the city and pitch his tent on the ashes…[July 27]…took 10 Sesech prisoners North Carolina cavalry…[July 31]…rains hard now…a bolt struck pretty close. Just now struck a store [of the] 51st [New York] sutler…[Aug. 5]…a fire broke out in a niggar shanty…[Aug. 7]…bell on the Catholic church fell as it was being rung…[Aug. 10]…the Lieut. of the guard is having the man washed in the yard that stabbed the negro…[Aug. 13]…infantry started…on a scout [with] seven days rations…[Aug. 15]…the Secesh fired on the sentry last night. We caught a beseech with a pistol loaded with buck shot. He had buck shot cans & powder…[Sept. 7]…our boys had a hard fight at Washington…[Sept. 19]…we had a disturbance…across the road lives a woman and her daughter. One of the 10 Conn….was…playing the bang and our boys were outside listening when the little girl come out…then her older sister bagman to sing the…d_n famous rebel song. If it had not been for our lieut. we would have pulled down the house for it was here that they fired at our sentries…[Sept. 25]…our lieut. col. got his arm broke by the kick of his horse…[Oct. 5]…I was ordered to strike a drunken soldier. I struck him four times which took him down…[Oct. 10]…sold my Colt for $14.00 to a secesh man…[Oct. 14]…lots of Darkies carry the grease over into town to sell…[Oct. 30]…we advanced…about sundown the rebs fired three cannon shots and some muskets. Hit one man with buck shot. Our Co. scouted on the right of the bridge…[Oct. 31]…we crossed the bridge. We are the advance guard of the infantry…[Oct. 19]…funeral. The coffin was on two casinos drawn by six horses, a body guard of six men on a side, an escort of fifteen foot. It was a solemn sight…[Dec. 16]…Capt. King of the N. Y. 3rd brought in 7 cannon he captured from the rebus in Kinston, two brass they took at Washington…". Not surprisingly, Caldwell was discharged on March 26, 1863 for disability resulting from syphilis. Expected wear and soiling, else VG
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $20 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 + | $10,000 |