Blindstamped black leather with folding. Front publisher page missing. Front inner cover contains stamp: “Wright & Parker / dealers in/ drugs, books & groceries / West Batavia. Ills.” Blind-stamped black leather with folding flap. Exhibits medium wear at the extremities, and light yellowing & soiling of text, which remains entirely legible. Else VG.

Diary format features three dated, unlined entries per page, starting with January 7, 1861 [earlier pages removed]. The penciled entries, short and terse, begin on January 13^th and proceed intermittently through May 1^st, resuming on November 2, and continue through the close of the year. Along the way the author reveals himself as a northern Illinois preacher who gets his living as quarryman. His January 15^th entry records the purchase of this little diary. “Thawing very fast. bought this book. paid 25cents. sold 1 load stone. got 50 cents. Heavy wind. Rain this evening.”

The author parades his Union allegiance in a flurry of entries beginning Feb. 27^th. To wit: “report says Gen. Twig[g]s is shot in Texas. Farewell thou Trater. Go to the traters reward”--- February 28^th: “Glorious news from Old Abe all safe in Washington. The rebels quale and tremble. Thank the Lord.”

Following the rebel attack on Ft. Sumter, on April 17^th,  he records “intence excitement. The cannons roar. The drums are beating. The people rally. God speed them on”. April 18^th: “Weather pleasant. War war is the cry. To armes to armes. The war dogs are howling.” April 19^th: “War! The news verry exciting. The mob attacts the troops in the depo in Baltimore. Every body mad” April 20^th: Tremendous excitement on acct. of the war news from Baltimore. A large and enthusiatict mass meeting in Masonic Hall. Soldiers enlisting. April 21^st: “Tremendious excitement. Reports say Cairo [Ill.] is taken by the rebels. Nearly the whole town in armes. Fifes playing. Drummes beating. Canons roar. May God speed the rite” April 22^nd: “Town quiet weather pleasant. Chauncy gone to Elgin for Rockford.” April 23^rd: “Big fite at Geneva [Ill.]. Several badly hurt.”

Later entries pertaining to “Chauncy”. July 31: “Chauncy enlisted in Capt Swanes Co., Douglas Brigade, No 42 Ill. Volunteers.” August 6^th: “Chauncy came home on parole”. August 8^th: “Chauncy bid us goodbye and left for Chicago”. Four November entries mention letters from Chancy, with the 42^nd Ill. in camp in Missouri. These entries invite further research pertaining to the 42^nd Ill.

This exact item can be found in Frank Mroczka’s book “STARTING YOUR FIRST CIVIL WAR COLLECTION.” We have this book available for purchase, our item# ST303, priced at $39.95.

An intriguing piece overall, and for Illinois regimental buffs especially.

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