Description:

EXCELSIOR BRIGADE VETERAN WRITES HIS MEMOIRS
Post war memoirs of Sgt. Robert H. Davis, Co. "F", 74th N.Y. Vol. Infantry ("Excelsior Brigade"), 55pp. 8vo., penned by Davis in 1901-02 for his aunt. Davis was 19 years old when he enlisted at Tidioute, Pa. as a sergeant, and he would serve until Jan. 31, 1864 being wounded and seeing very significant action at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Davis briefly describes his childhood and earliest days in the military. he describes camp life and the death of a man killed while building a cabin, contrabands escaping across a river, and in a paragraph describes the battle of the Monitor vs. Merrimack: "...Worden steaming toward the enemy...avoiding the steel prow of the Merrimack, planting cannon balls where they would have most effect...". Davis very eloquently describes events surrounding his wounding: "...The Confederates gave us a screeching storm of lead that words can hardly describe, zipping in frightful numbers knocking off pieces of bark, pattering against stumps and logs...made it a panorama of death...Feeling a stinging pain in lefty hip, I dragged myself a rod or so...I assumed the attitude of the dead..." Davis is taken prisoner, paroled, and sent to Fort Monroe where he convalesces with Confederate soldiers. Much more excellent content includes a vivid, dramatic description of the battle of Chancellorsville, retreat of the 11th, Jackson's capture of men by stealth, a drummer boy leading wounded to the rear, the decimation of his corps, and so on. Davis recollection of Gettysburg is excellent. His regiment was advanced to the Peach Orchard on July 2, and Davis recalls: "...The enemy making a dash at our left flank...Gen. Sickles has lost a leg...I yell asking permission to go forward...a force of Confederate falling on our right flank...I saw white cotton appear instantly on the front of a member's jacket...sinking to the ground...Shells are bursting & officers yelling come back but many continue to retreat. I join the color guard...Every man moved forward yelling the Union cry of soldiers...captain of our regiment is cursing wickedly at a corpse saying he tried to take his watch and he gave him a bullet. A Confederate boy is writhing in mortal agony and asking the officers to shoot him...I came to a corpse lying on its face...Taking letters and photographs and being badly in need of a shirt, I didn't think I was looting...Confederate General Pickett makes his celebrated charge...those whom our battery can reach are getting shells as fast as they can load and fire...faces blackened by stains of powder & looking like demons from some infernal place as they send grape & canister into their advancing ranks...Confederates began to waver, many throwing down their arms holding caps extended as a sign for quarter...many dead Confederates were fermenting in the sun, mouths blubbering, eyes bulging, faces purple and nearly twice the size...their clothing looked as though about to burst out...". Some time later, Davis is severely wounded in the arm and carried off the field by drummer boys. He recovers slowly, and is placed in the Reserve Corps. Davis also includes partial company rosters and some original patriotic poetry. Very good, with a nearly full transcript. This is one of the most eloquent, well-written narratives we have encountered, with little of the flowery exaggeration so often seen in post-war pieces. Davis' style and content make this an excellent item indeed.

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.

September 9, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
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 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000