78. PVT. GEORGE R. ROME, 54TH AND 55TH MASS. RELIC GROUPING M18954 An incredibly rare grouping of relics owned by a black Union soldier, Pvt. George R. Rome, a 29 year-old married foreman from Worcester, Mass. Rome enlisted in Robert Gould Shaw's 54th Mass. Vol. Infy. at Worcester on Sep. 3, 1864 and served with that distinguished regiment until Nov. 9, 1864 when he transferred to Co. C of the 55th Mass. Vol. Infy. Records show that he remained active until he was mustered out at Charleston on Aug. 29, 1865. Included in this fine, fresh grouping are Rome's leather cartridge box complete with both tins and brass U.S. box plate, leather shoulder sling (without the eagle breast plate), his leather waist belt with U.S. buckle, his leather bayonet scabbard and his leather percussion cap box. Two additional items are of greater rarity and importance. First is Rome's personal wartime Bible, signed five times with a few diary entries within. The Bible was provided by the New York Bible Society with the front pastedown bearing the group's name, a colored American flag with the legend "To the Defenders of their Country!" and the date 1864. On the next two pages, Rome signs his name: "George R. Rome in the 55th Mass regiment Company C Oct. 30, 1864" and once adds "Folley [sic] Island SC". On the blank pages in the rear of the Bible, Rome scribbled three pages of notes or diary entries which are smeared and essentially lost. Two pages written in ink remain, dated Monday, Oct. 31, and read in part: "...We left Galups Island Thursday 15 and landed in New York 17...left on 6 of Oct Thursday for hilton head SC from there to morris island for the 54 But the Col[?] would not take us we laid there in the sand 13 days out doors...this book presented to George R Rome on the Steam Boat from New York to Harts island and I have carried it ever since I left Harts island for New York and then for Hilton Head for Mores [Morris] Island for the 54th but the Cornel would not take us...worked on the dock and Pond...and from there to the 55 on Folleys Island SC...". Both entries are signed again by Rome at bottom. Also present is a hand-colored tintype, 2 1/2" x 3 3/4", showing Rome in partial uniform with regulation kepi and pants, long jacket and plaid shirt, seated in a chair. Finally, there is a Nov. 4, 1889 Bureau of Pensions document forwarding Rome his pension certificate. The government refused Rome his pension, but his widow was allotted $8.00 per month following his death on Dec. 19, 1900. A terrific grouping from a fighting colored regiment! The 55th joined the 32nd, 35th, 102nd U. S. Colored Infantry Regiments and the 54th Mass. in the battle of Honey Hill on Nov. 30, 1864. On Dec. 7-9, 1864 the regiment was engaged at Deveaux Neck, SC with the 32nd, 34th, and 102nd U. S. Colored Infantry Regiments, and on Feb. 10, 1865 another battle was fought at James Island. On Feb. 19 the regiment received news of the evacuation of Charleston and entered Charleston on Feb. 21. It was soon sent on an expedition into the interior of the state engaging the enemy on Feb. 25 at Briggen Creek, and fought its last battle at St. Stephens on March 1, 1865. $7,000 - 9,000