Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
Major Daniel Curtis war-date Personal Diary Pages, 9pp. folio, in pencil on the recto side only. Entries are dated from May 5 through May 31, 1864. During this time, Curtis and the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry were sent to assist with the campaign at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. Curtis' diary begins as he records the regiment's movements around the state of Virginia before they arrived to aid in the campaign. At times during their movements, they met the enemy and engaged them in battle, which happened on Sunday, May 8 when the regiment fought the Confederates "above Jarrett's Station." They "lost three killed & Eight wounded." On May 11, Curtis reports that the regiment arrived at "Bermuda Hundred - marched to Swift Creek, near Gen. Butler's Head Quarters." While there, Curtis records his regiment's activities, which included destroying railroads and enemy property within earshot of "Hard fighting going above." On May 12 at Chester Station, the regiment "broke the jail & released some conscript prisoners." The paper is toned with some foxing along the edges and each page has smoothed vertical fold creases. Each entry is clear and legible. Brigadier General August Kautz General Orders, Fair Copy. One page, 7.75" x 12.5", Head Quarters Cavalry Division, "Near Portsmouth, Va", dated May 4, 1864. The document is headed "Orders for the March" and directs the entire cavalry division to "assemble at Day light to morrow [sic] morning." The order also prohibits pillaging during the march: "Officers will not leave their position in the column without the permission of their Regimental commanders. . . . Soldiers are prohibited from entering houses and those guilty of pillaging or committing outrages will be dismounted and left to the mercy of the Enemy." From the effects of Major Daniel S. Curtis of the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry. Toned with smoothed vertical fold creases, otherwise excellent condition.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.