2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Union journal compiled by John Perkins Reynolds, Jr. (1840-1919) who enlisted into the 8th Massachusetts Infantry, the "Minute Men", as a corporal on April 15, 1861, re-enlisted into the 19th Mass. Infantry on August 28, 1861, was wounded at Antietam on September 17, 1862, rose to the rank of captain of Co. 'E' before being discharged on November 5, 1863, due to his wounds. He then re-enlisted in to the 21st Veteran Reserve Corps with rank of captain and would serve through June 30, 1866. This journal spans his earliest service with the 8th Massachusetts, from April 17 through June 30, 1861. Total is 240p. octavo, leatherbound. Extensive entries by Reynolds as personal insights on the war and politics. PAGE 1 BEGINS as "SOLDIERS JOURNAL [with] Giving a full and detailed account of the various duties, changes of stations situations, privations, hardships & exposure of the Salem Zouaves (Salem Light Infantry) ...attached to the Eight Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia during the three months campaign at the commencement of the War of 1861, containg also a narrative of interesting events, descriptions of places, anecdotes, incidents & c. giving an idea of the duties of the Soldier, and a glance at Camp life generally. Carefully prepared from notes, taken at the time for the writers own pastime and amusement. By Corp'l J.P. Reynolds. Salem, Mass. 1861...." EXCERPTING FROM HIS MANY SUPERB ENTRIES: "...[April 17, 1861]The armory was full of people and among them many of the boys could be seen in full uniform, 'armed and equipped as the law directs' and ready for duty....[4/18] I was somewhat surpriesed to learn that the company numbered sixyt four muskets, and on inquiry learnt that at the meeting last evening thirty new members had been voted in...All along the route at the several stopping places the same enthusiasm prevailed, and bonfires, booming of cannon, ringing of beels & c. greeted us in many places. At Worcester the excitement was intesnse and Gen. Butler stepped upon the platform and addressed the crowd in the most patriotic manner...[4/20 on leaving Phila.] we started with about 850 troops in a train of about twenty cars, amid a most deafening shouting, from the thousands assembled along the road for a considerable distance. Of course we responeded in a hearty manner, and gave them many a hearty 'seven' the rest of the troops joining, in the old fashioned 'three cheers'. We also struck up many a partiotic song, such as 'America', 'Star Spangled Banner', "Red White and Blue' &c....soon crossed the boundary line between N. Jersey and Maryland, our attention was ten times taken up in watching the expressions of several negro slaves, who as we passed along grinned at us in a manner which did not fail to amuse most of us, and they manifested considerable pride in saluting us. As we neared the Wilmington junction... the bridges between that place and Washington city had been burnt and that the road had been torn up for several miles. It was also reported that the boat at Perryville was in possession of the rebels who numbered one thousand...Arrangments were ...made for attacking them...for the purpose of resucing the U.S.S. CONSTITUTION ["Old Ironsides"] in the NAVAL ACADEMY there...We were the flank company of the Regiment and of course the duty of commencing the attack was ours...The order double quick was then given and away we started, through mud and mire like so many wild cats, a terror to all before us...we were not only happily disappointed but actually astonished at meeting none but a few unresisting citizens of the place...We learned that the Captain of the boat was waiting for his secession friends to take them down the river to Annapolis, and refused to start up steam for us, but Butler soon 'brought him to' by giving him a chocie between a dose of cold lead and complying with his wishes. This conduct on the part of Butler had the desired effect and the Captain wisely chose the latter...[4/21]We were at anchor. The huge hull of the old Constitution lay within a gun shot of us, her black sides towering high above the waters edge, and seemingly threatening our safety had we approached nearer. A boat was sent from her to ascertain who we were and what were our intentions, and we afterwards learned that we had been taken for a posse of roughs from Baltimore who were expected by the officers of the frigate, whose guns were doubly shotted with grape ready to give us a warm reception....The city of Annapolis was mostly in favor of secession and it was Butler's intention to take the old Constitution from the dangers of being captured by the inhabitants of the place...[4/22]...[the captain] informed me that six hundred rebel troops were stationed in the vicinity of Annapolis and that it was their intention to pitch upon and secure the frigate Constititution. He also said that had our troops arrived three hours later our ship, that old ark of the Revolution would have been in the hands of traitors....[[6/16]The Sixth Mass. and 8th New York who had been on temporary duty on Federal Hill in the city of Baltimore now returned, reporting every thing quiet in the city. Said that the citizens showed them great attention and refreshments were actually forced upon them. There was indeed a great contrast between such a reception and the one on the memorable 19th of April when the Sixth were assailed with stones and clubs by the infuriated mob. ...[5/24]During the forenoon news reached Head Quarters of the death of Col. Ellsworth of the N.Y. Fire Zouaves, at Alexandria Va. on the 23rd inst. The Marshall House, a hotel kpet by James Jackson, was the Head Quarters for rebel officers, and from a flagstaff on its summit floated the Confederate flag, so conspiciously, that it had been long descernible by the Federal Executive, from teh White House, at Washington. Colonel Ellsworth had been the personal firend of the President and had promised him before leaving Washington to remove that flaunting insult. ( It will be remembered that on the night of the 23d of May, the Union troops conspicous among whom was the celebrated Fire Zouaves of N.Y. occupied Alexandria) He therefore on landing took two or three men and proceeded to the hotel, which now with the early dawn began to show signs of life. On reaching the building Colonel Ellsworth sprang up stairs, followed by the chaplain of his Regiment and private Brownell, mounted to the roof, hauled down the flag and began to descend with it, private Brownell being in advance of him. The landlord was waiting for him; he had armed himself with a double barrelled gun, and as the soldiers came down to the first landing, fired full at the Colonel's breast, killing him instantly. He fell forward down several steps to the landing, dead. This news spread through the camp with the rapidity of lightning...Ellsworth having been a warm friend of the Captain. The whole company were warmly attached to him for we had received the celebrated 'Chicago Zouaves' while under his command, in Salem only a few months before our entry into serve and had become well acquainted with himself and his men. On receipt of the news the flags were displayed at half-mast, and the officers were summoned before the Colonel...[6/10]During the evening considerable excitement was occasioned in camp by the arrest of 'Baltimore Joe' by Lieut. Brewster officer of the guard. 'Baltimore Joe' was the familiar title bestowed by the boys upon a jolly good natured chap from Baltimore, who had for some time kept a saloon within the line of sentries by permission of the Colonel. This saloon was largely patronized by every company in the regiment, but on this occassion, Joe had not only overstepped the bounds of propriety but violated orders in furnishing the men with whiskey. This fact was reported to the Lieut. of the guard, who with three men made a descent upn the bar of Joe, confiscating every drop of liquor on hand and carrying Joe a prisoner to Head Quarters..." The journal concludes with "VOL. I" though he had only thirty days until his muster-out so the content in the next would probably be similar to the text herein. The exact date that Reynolds wrote this journal from the notes he personally made during those three months during 1861 is not given in that journal. It could easily have been later in the Civil War years while recuperating from his wounds at Antietam…or sometimes subsequent to the secessation of hostilities. It yet represents a unique, insightful, first person, eye witness account to some very important and historic episodes in the opening days of the war. Wonderfully written with beautiful handwritting, and full of details, this is a fine journal from a member of the Salem Zouaves. Spine is broken, with some loose pages, interior is fine. Complete with photostat information on the unit and soldier, including copy of a CDV of him.
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