Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
A great war-date Union soldier's two year diary kept by Pvt. John D. Ayars, Co. D, 10th New Jersey Vols., written between October 31, 1861 and April 1, 1863. A fascinating diary illustrating a soldier's view of war-time Washington, D. C., while he was stationed at Old Capitol and Carroll Prisons where he and his regiment helped guard both Union and Confederate prisoners. While stationed in the Nation's capitol he took every opportunity to travel throughout the city. He visited all the city's famous buildings including the White House (numerous times), the U. S. Capitol building (numerous times), the Washington Monument, the Patent Office and even the Smithsonian to name a few. He makes mention of all the times he saw Lincoln and even once recorded his feeling at the greatness of the speech he had just given. He records the many times the had gone to the Senate and House of Representatives to hear the congressmen debate. He records the coming and going of prisoners, punishment including witnessing a hanging and even mentioned at the grisly suicide of a regular army officer. The diary is contained is 3 3/4" x 5 3/4" leather bound ledger book numbering over 200 ruled pages. In this book Ayars had the ability to write at length on any given topic since he was not restricted to pre-printed dates. A small sample of the contents (in our words) includes: [Dec. 8, 61]…his lieutenant lets him use his tent to sleep with his wife before shipping off to war…[Dec. 12, 61]…the regiment is presented with its flag and speeches are made…[Feb. 10, 62]…heavy firing is heard down the Potomac…[Feb. 21]…they get a new colonel whose arrival the old colonel "did not seem to relish"…[Feb. 21]…their quartermaster arrested a suspected rebel spy near camp…[Feb. 22]…great description of celebration of Washington's Birthday…[Feb. 24]…a gale tears through their camp over turning an "ambrotypist's car" causing over $100.00 damage to him while the sutler's tent "is absence without leave"…[Feb. 26]…they are formed on their parade ground in a hollow square to attend a "concert given by two ladies…[Mar. 2]….they are formed in line of battle to help suppress the mutiny of the 66th Penn. Vols…[Mar. 10]…Charles Daniels threw a blank cannon cartridge in a fire "for the lack of a good mother" and burned a comrade "by the operation"…[Mar. 11]…news of the evacuation of Manassas Junction by the rebels…[Mar. 13]…Lieut. Col. Wright was ordered out of camp "followed by the men…hooting and groaning" as he left…[Mar. 16]…two little boys enter camp and one "talked considerable about Sesech…[Mar. 19]…visited Washington and the Capital looking for "Old Abe Lincoln" and saw the Washington Monument…[May 19]…accidentally shot himself in the big toe during target practice…[July 29]…two captains are arrested for wandering the streets of Washington drunk and one is sentenced to a "shower bath"…[August 6]…goes to the Capitol to a war meeting and hears President Lincoln give "a brief, practical and in many respects an important speech which the audience will no doubt carefully peruse." In this speech Lincoln attempted to dispel rumors that General McClellan and Secretary of War Stanton were feuding. Lincoln then told the crowd he took all responsibility for the actions of both men…[Aug. 18]…recently released First Bull Run POW Col. Michael Corcoran gives a speech to the 10th camp…[Sept.1]…took charge of twenty five Union deserters…[Sept. 20]…a dead soldier of Scott's 900 Cavalry is found alongside the railroad bridge at Rock Creek…[Oct. 25]…saw a soldier and civilian tied to the wheel of a cannon for steal government shoes…[Nov. 19]…fist fight between two soldiers…[Dec. 3]…Major John Elwood 5th United State Infantry commits suicide by slitting his own throat…[Dec. 5]…Charles A. Dana, assistant secretary of war visits Carrol Prison and a soldier is hung in the prison yard…[Dec. 25]…President Lincoln sent his company three turkeys and five chickens as a Christmas present…[Feb. 13]…seventeen rebel prisoners brought into the Old Capitol Prison "Hurrah for the Union"…[Feb. 21]…went to the White House where he shook hands with "Uncle Abe Lincoln"…[Feb. 28]…when again to the White House where he saw Mrs. Lincoln…[Mar. 2]…went to the U. S. Capitol and saw General John Fremont…[Mar. 4]…"Abraham Lincoln bin president two years today"…[Mar. 5]…96 prisoners brought into Old Capitol Prison, mostly Union deserters…[Mar. 17]…St. Patrick's Day…notes that "my little boy McClellan is one year old today"…[Mar. 20]…thirty prisoners of Stuart's cavalry brought into prison…". Ayars identifies his diary by inking his name on the flap of the front cover and also by stenciling his name four times in bold black ink near the back of the book. Expected wear affecting the binding and covers, rear cover loose and attached by one binding twine with several pages detached, but present and otherwise complete. Overall VG.
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