July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
Pair of nice war-date diaries ID’d to “Joseph Schneider, Company A 95th Regt. Illinois Vols.” both pocket variety, one purchased in December 1863 with backdated entries beginning in March, the other “Bought January second at Vicksburg, Mississippi in the year of our Lord 1864” with entries covering the entire year of 1864. The 95th Illinois fought bravely during the siege of Vicksburg losing dozens of soldiers in two brave assaults in May 1863, they later fought at Fort De Russy , the Red River expedition as well as in pursuit of General Hood after the battle of Nashville. With good content, the diaries read in part: “...[3/28/63]the boat started gain, went up the river 60 miles and there stoped foraged some corn...then turned around land on the Miss. side loosened a negro which was in chains...[4/28]two boat loads of Darkies came here to day, they came from Mississippi...[5/4]General Steele’s Division passed by here today...450 prisoners captured at Grand Gulf...[5/19]Our Regiment made charge on the Rebels works today but had to retreat again. Had five wounded...[5/22]Our Regiment made another heavy charge, retreated with a heavy loss. We had 16 wounded and five killed in our company...[5/31]Our forces were driven away from Pirkensens Landing today. The rebs captured a lot of there stuff. The Rebs was 2,000 strong...[6/20] We had a bombardment today, shot from each gun sixty rounds, it began at 4 am and lasted till nine am...[6/25]Logan blowed up the big fort today at half past four PM they had pretty heavy fight over it the 45 Ill lost pretty heavy...[6/27]Logan had some 60 killed in about 100 minutes...[7/1]Logan blowed up the fort again, blowed up several men...[7/4]Vicksburg was surrendered at nine oclock this morning. 35,000 prisoners and 206 canon...[8/14]Gen. Grant & Adjt General Thomas he was soluted with six guns at six in the morning...[9/15]Our cavalry followed them up and overtook the rear guard skirmished with them killed several of the Rebs, had one of the 72nd Ill killed...[1/25/1864]we had regimental review and inspection. We was reviewed by General Dennis and inspected by Lieut Col. Strong...[3/15]we captured 300 prisoners some 12 guns...[4/23]at half past seven there is heavy cannonading ahead of us....we began to fight gain at 11 am. We drove the rebs back. We was laying in support of the Missiouri battery...[5/5]The skirmish began pretty early this morning and was kept up all day. In the afternoon our cavalry charged on the Rebs but they were driven back...[5/7] at two we met the enemy in pretty good force, there was a charge made on both sides. We took 7 prisoners. We had some killed and wounded...[5/19]Our regiment came in at noon. They were not yet in the fight. The loss on our side was 150 killed about the same number wounded. That of the rebs was much greater. We also took 430 prisoners. The Rebs retreated back some eight miles they sent in a flag of truce to bury the dead...[6/10]we began to fight at half past two, our loss was pretty heavy, the Col. was killed...” Much more. Both field carried and worn accordingly, and in good condition.
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