Gettysburg Campaign Diary

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015

A highly detailed Gettysburg Campaign diary written by a certain "Mr. Hoover" of Litzinger's Penn. Infantry who enlisted, on June 23, 1863 during Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania written, in period ink, in a 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" calf-skin covered book. The diary covers a from June 19 through July 31, 1963, and totals 39 pages. Hoover uses unlimited space for his entries that more often than not number twenty lines or more giving us some very informative insight into his adventures while serving in defense of his state. Some of these adventures include actually hearing the sounds of the battle of Gettysburg, taking unauthorized leave of the regiment, alluding arrest by the provost guard, visiting female friends, fighting a mock battle, and other particulars that include seeing ghosts while on guard, in very small part: "…[June 19]…arrived at Johnstown at 2 o'clk AM…rec'd our arms and ammunition…succeeded in getting a bed at a tavern…[June 20]…marched this day fifteen miles to the town of Jennerville, very tired…[June 22]…the whole company furnished with beds by the citizens…put on guard at 11 AM…[June 23]…on guard last night very dark and raining fast. Had to build a fire to see the beat…took a wash in the river…fired our first cartridges…some of the boys a little nervous. Sam Harris' gun went off before he was ready. Nearly shot the Captain…[June 27]…attended roll call. Put on guard at the commissary…the company formed in line to be mustered into the service of…Penn'a during the present emergency. Many of the men refused to be mustered in and went home. A. O. Furst elected 2nd Lieutenant…[June 25]…Mineral Point…cleaned my musket, smoked my pipe…fiddle played by Ed Brown…the Captain ordered Frank Muller home, for what offence. He did not say…this evening Mr. Joseph Mitchell arrived in camp with a load of blankets, haversacks…[June 26]…our mess opened a box directed to John Morris who would not be mustered into the service…box filled with crackers, cheese, sugar…sorry Morris was not here to receive the box…our rations hereafter to be 'hardtack'…thought I would escape going on guard…Sergeant Layden ordered me to stand guard in place of a man who was sick…thought it was anything but pleasing to stand in the rain all night with a musket on my shoulder…[June 27]…cleaned our arms for inspection…expected lady visitors from Centreville…our mess…consists of…Edwin Lipton, George H. McGuire, Wm. W. Kerhart, H. P. Haupt, and myself. Drew a new canteen and haversack…news of the near approach of the rebels to Harrisburg…our company…expect marching orders daily…[June 28]…obtained permission for McGuire and myself to leave camp for a short time. Crossed the river and went a mile or so…spread my blanket on the grass and laid down…[June 29]…went on guard…in front of my beat about half of the company are gathered, and a set of them are dancing…many amuse themselves by playing euchre…the enemy were advancing on Harrisburg…that skirmishing was going on…our camp very much excited. Each wondering why we are kept here when there is no enemy near and danger is at our own doors…[June 30]…on guard all night…last night perfectly clear and the moon shining brightly. About two o'clock this morning while standing on my post saw the figure of a man enveloped in a white blanket…intended to represent a ghost emerge from a tent…and glide…into the woods…the 'scare' was immediately detected…none of the guards left their posts…his ghostship retired in disgust…our mess have been thinking of arranging our baggage so as to have it ready to pack up at short notice…we would be ordered east before long…[July 1, the First day of the battle of Gettysburg]…got up this morning at 6…took down our tent…at 10 o'clock A. M. attended company drill. Drilled very hard. Partly on 'the double quick'. Dismissed for dinner…drill…at 2 o'clock…spread my gum blanket on the grass and lay down, a delightful breeze going…[July 2]…went on guard…at 7 o'clock, raining…afternoon quit raining and the sun is shining…very warm…several ladies…came down to see us. Among them the Postmistress, at whose house I slept…while I am eating the whole camp is thronging to the river bank and anxiously listening…to…the dull rumbling sound…of artillery…in the direction of Bedford…all were ordered to have their ammunition at hand so as to be able to get it at a moments warning…[July 3]…9 o'clock A. M. ..relieved from guard…expected an alarm last night but was disappointed…drilled pretty hard. The sun very warm…played a few games of euchre…had a dance on the green in front of the tents. Heard…that General McClellan had again command of the army. Threw up my hat when I heard it as did many of the boys…[July 4]…very dreary day…very much disappointed, no demonstration of any kind. Some of our mess jolly over cider…marched about ¼ mile from camp to a large field. Sun very hot…many of the county people came out to see us drill…the sweat rolled off of me…charged bayonets across the field and…formed in the road. Marched back to camp…could not have stood it much longer…voted…to be the poorest 'fourth' ever…[July 5]…went to…'the Hotel' a perfect pig-pen…there a young man…inquired if Mr. Hoover was there…I told him that was my name. He said that Mrs. Freeze…invited me to come to her house…[July 6]…while sleeping in my tent was roused up by Corpl Hall with the glorious intelligence that our army had captured 25,000 rebels, 113 rds of artillery and that Lee's retreat was cut off…drank a bumper of cider to the end of the war. The rest of the mess did the same. Guards on duty gave three cheers which…brought the Capt. down to hear the news…[July 7]…heard the news that the rebel Genl's Hill and Longstreet were wounded and prisoners. Great victory for the Union Army…a dispatch received…that Vixsburg surrendered…[July 8]…discovered that the camp is to be alarmed tonight…2 AM firing could be heard in the direction in which our pickets lay…the camp guards fire their pieces…the long roll was heard…the men…half asleep come running with their arms…the Co. is…forms four men abreast…running through the bridge and up the hill on the other side…in the direction of the firing…the command to fire is given…a sheet of flame bursts from the right…the enemy are supposed to be driving us…those who slept so soundly as not to be up in time…receive a lecture from the Lieut…[July 9]…Jim Hinton fell down in a fit, was insensible all afternoon. Dr. Rothrock bled him…[July 11]…John Morran…and myself took French leave of the Company…I became so exhausted that I sat down…I took up my musket and again moved on though in pain at every step…came to the out skirts of Johnstown…soon came to the bridge…it [was] guarded by a squad of soldiers who refused to let me pass…waded the river and...was invited to dinner by a young man who had been in the army…we were put on double-duty…for going across the river…[July 12]…Huntingdon…got our uniforms…the 46th is encamped on a hill…their camp called 'Warrior'…[July 15]…saw the 46th Regt leave in the cars…[July 17]…held an election for regimental officers. Col. McKeage…[July 18]…to Harrisburg…went to town in a squad to arrest absentees…[July 19]…passed the guard at the bridge had a forged pass…came very near being arrested by the provost guard. Escaped by running up an alley…[July 20]…Lieut. Crawford treated the Co. to whiskey…[July 31]…train to Bloody Run. Hon. James Buchanan and party were on the train. He is failing very fast…had his physician with him…very pleasant ride to Hopewell. Astonished the boys with a history of our trip…". Records show that Litzinger's Infantry was enlisted on June 23, 1863 and served until being mustered out on August 8, and also that there were two men with the last name, Hoover, in the regiment. They were George and Norman M. Hoover. Undoubtedly, one of these men is the author. A great chance to own a rare piece of Gettysburg campaign history. Some minor soiling with some spots, otherwise very good.

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