Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
A good war-date Union soldier's diary kept by Pvt. John D. Ayars, Co. D, 10th New Jersey Vols., dated from July 1, 1863 to Sept. 30, 1863. Highlights include their operations while patrolling the region around Suffolk, Virginia during the Gettysburg Campaign and late of their service in the north during the Draft Riots. The diary is contained is 3 3/4" x 6" oil cloth covered book identified on the inside cover as: "John D. Ayars Book Bought in Suffolk, Va., July 1st 1863. John D. Ayars, Co. D, 10th New Jersey Vols.", numbering approximately 80 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: "…[July 1]…on picket long the Suffolk and Petersburg railroad…[July 3]…arriving at Bower's Hill…marched 15 miles from Suffolk. Saw a "splendid fort on this hill built by the Union army"…saw meeting houses…region looks miserable…few men are seen and of those they are "all old looking fellows"…{July 4]…on picket…notes countersign was "Fredericksburg"…[July 5]…describes Camp Bower's Hill's location in relation to Suffolk, Va…[July 7]…received news "of a victory to our Union Armies at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on the Third of July"…[July 9]…received "official report of the fall of Vicksburg"…'Hurrah for General Grant"…[July 10]…"two little counter bands, one 13 the other 9 years old in Co. H avenue"…his comrades were, "having good bit of fun with them, spating and dancing, juben. A soldier of Co. G askt the youngest, 'look hear who made you.' The little fellow…answered God made me. The same one that made you…is he black or white. He is white…why did he make you black…because it suted him to make me black. I was black when I was born and I am black now…wile listening to their talk I thought thow born a slave Abraham Lincoln, God bless him, has set you free…Much more commentary. Ayars nearly fills the entire page of this conversation…[July 11]…punishment of soldier standing on top of a barrel…[July 13]…destitute local woman comes to camp looking for work or her "little children must suffer"…". Much more interesting content. Some loss effecting the first page, a bit loose, but complete, else VG.
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