135. CIVIL WAR FIELD CARRIED PSALM BOOK An interesting and unusual Civil War relic, a field-carried psalm book carried by possibly two different Union soldiers. Entitled The Book of Psalms: Translated out of the Original Hebrew; and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. (New York: American Bible Society, 1862), 120pp. 16mo., with cloth-reinforced wraps. The book bears several owner inscriptions, the first being Hamilton Ellsworth of Company B of the 107th Illinois Volunteers who inscribes his name twice on the front blank pages in pencil, once adding "Holston's Hospital, Knoxville, Tenn." and again in ink on the final blank flyleaf in ink adding "Knoxville Tenn." On the inside back cover, Ellsworth again writes his name and adds: "By the Christian Commission, Knoxville, Tenn." and the proverb: "Steal not this Book My Honest [illeg.], for fear the [illeg.] will be your [illeg.]." It is likely that Ellsworth obtained the bible while in the hospital around 1863 when his regiment was in the state. The book appears to have had two owners, the second one inscribing the front flyleaf in ink: "James T. Hay's and carried by him during the Civil War including the time spent in Libby Prison". Libby Prison in Richmond was used almost exclusively for officers (though sometimes as a transit point for enlisted prisoners), so we can assume Hay was an officer, but there are no records of his service. Still a fine relic of the Civil War. Some rubbing to spine, light browning to pages, otherwise very good condition. $300-400