1861 - 1863 CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE INCLUDING TWO [2] IMPORTANT HANDWRITTEN DIARIES OF THE CHICAGO MERCHANTILE LIGHT ARTILLERY INCLUDING THE SOLDIER'S VERY FIRST LETTER HOME AND SIGNED CDVs

DICK RANSOM and Multiple Autographs of the 'Battery Boys' of the Chicago Mercantile Battery Light Infantry

Published by Chicago, Illinois IL, 1861

About this Item

A wonderful archive of historically significant with detailed civil war content: 1) Two detailed Civil War diaries; 2) Ransom's first war letter home; 3) superb signed Ransom Civil War cartes des viste,[cdv]; 4) Other photos: a tintype cdv, gem photo, and another hand colored cdv of his wife Louie (Lucy) Perham; 5) A book titled "Sacred Poems"; 6) Ransom's business card and property tag and lastly but of huge importance to genealogists; 7) Early name and address book of Dick Ransom mentioning many family members and Battery mates. Dick Ransom was from Chicago, Illinois; enlisted on 8/7/1862 as a private. On 8/29/1862 he mustered into Chicago Mercantile Light Artillery. He was discharged for disability on 3/24/1863. Specifics: Diary #1 1861, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, full year January 1st through December 31st 1861, 120 pages of which approx. 250 days with entries recorded, dark brown period ink, very legible. Great war content, and a number of remarks made in great excitement; Lincoln as President; death of Col. Ellsworth, and Steven Douglas. Battle excitement and the rout of the federal army at the first battle of Bull Run at Manassas. Diary #2 1862 : 3 x 5 inches, entries from Aug. 7th 1862 through Mar. 6th 1863. 29 pages, brown period ink, very legible. Cover reads " Dick Ransom mercantile Battery Chicago Artillary 100 Washington Street Chicago". Signed in ink in Dick Ransom's hand on first page; "Dick Ransom 100 Washington Street Chicago Ill." Also included: 3 wonderful cdv/tintype of Lucy Ransom. [Dick speaks of his proposal for marriage to Lucy in his 1861 diary.] First is a tintype/cdv format of Lucy backmark Chicago, dated Aug 19th, 1866 and signed on reverse in Dick's hand,in brown ink "Louie Perham 1866 Dick Ransom". Secondly, mounted Gem Albuman photo of Lucy on cdv mount, ca. 1865. Cdv is handcolored image of Lucy, dated Jan 23rd 1868. The address book includes all of Dick's friends and family and many of Mercantile Battery mates including Sinclair, Willard, Gunlock, and Medal of Honor winner James Dunne. 3 x 5 inches, many pages of entries, mouse chew on cover edges. The date of 1883 can be found on the fep. Brown ink inscriptions, this book is an important genealogy record and helps to identify all the people referred to in the diaries. Here are some snippets: " January 9th "my Birthday 19 years old born at South Woodstock Vermont"march 4th Abe Lincoln President of the United States" Mar 19th " wrote a long letter to Lucy . with a proposal for marrige which I am sure will be accepted.I am in great anxiety for an answer". (tintype of Lucy included) "rec'd an answer alright = O.K." April 25th -Intense excitement about . voluteers companies forming and drilling constantly all over the North"." May 2nd - douglas was received here by republicans and Democrates unanimously " May 3 - great war excitement for some time - volunteerism all over the country - great excitement". " May 5th - volunteers drilling in the streets " May 8th - Lucy went for me to get a flag for the volunteers ." May 9th - great war excitement companies guarding and driling". " May 24th - war message regarding the good and efficient commanders." " may 25th - Scott and President Lincoln col. Ellsworth the Zouave huro of Chicago killed in Alexandrea yesterday for tearing down a secsession flag. " June 3rd - Stephen A Douglas died at the tremont house this A.m. at 48. The city draped very very heavily mourning. col. Ellesworth funeral yeaterday at Bryan hall". " May 4th - Douglas laid in state at Bryan Hall all day." " May 5th - Douglas still in Bryan Hall ". " May 5th - Douglas still lies in state at Bryan hall is to be burried at Cottage Grove tomorrow ". "May 7th- Douglas funeral stores all shut up largest funeral ever in Chicago ". " June 10th - War excitement continues usual small battles and skirmishes but no large ones some expected soon". " June 20th - war and rumors of war some great battles expected soon in vicinity of Washington Sucession." " June 2. Seller Inventory # 000615

Bibliographic Details

Title: 1861 - 1863 CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE INCLUDING TWO ...

Publisher: Chicago, Illinois IL

Publication Date: 1861

Condition: Good+

Book Type: Manuscript