80 page memoir written in ink by Sgt. Robert H. Davis, Company F, 74th New York, Excelsior Brigade. Handmade note book meas. approx. 6.50x8.25. This memoir was written in December of 1893 and is for Davis' cousin Carrie M. Pugh. With some interesting detail Davis covers his service from enlistment to discharge.

The first battle Davis talks about is the fight at Williamsburg where he was wounded in the shoulder. Thinking back to the night before the battle Davis talks about him and his comrade Joshua Richardson bedding down for the night. Davis talks of the rain pelting their shelter half and listening to the soft wind and writes: "But this was all lost to poor Joshua he being fast asleep knowing as little of the rain as he did the enemies bullet that was to go through his brain on the following day. Blessed comrade, you will hear the voice of the Master saying greater charity hath no man then he who gave his life for man."

He then goes on to describe his march into action and what he sees in great detail. Of firing his first shot in anger her says "There was a struggle within me between fear courage and pride, but pride and courage overcame fear and I sent my first shot at the heads of Johnny Reb." He then goes on to describe his wounding and being picked up by the Rebs and later being paroled.

Davis returns to the 74th in time for Chancellorsville. With the same type of detail that he used to describe Williamsburg he describes this battle. While describing the action of May 2nd he says, "After firing thirty or thirty-five rounds, my rifle became so hot it could not be handled if it were not for the woodwork. It began to jump…bruising my cheek at every discharge. Gripping it and pressing it firmly to my face… or it would have freed itself from my grasp."

The next battle is Gettysburg. Davis uses 13 pages to describe the fighting on July 2nd and 3rd. The passage is too long to quote here but I will give a few lines. For July 2nd some of what he relates is " A Rebel battery gave us a fearful shelling which we received lying down not any of them exploding soon enough to do us harm, though they came dangerously near our heads as they passed. The Confederates charging on our left our Colonel gave the order 'Left face, File left, Double quick, March.' While executing this order I saw the coat of a soldier next in front of me suddenly tear at the shoulder; bringing his hand to the same with a cry of pain he fell out of the ranks. After forming line in this direction we found the first regiment of our Brigade standing in a cloud of smoke fighting most courageously, but the enemy continued to advance firing and yelling like so many savages. Thinking the command "Forward" had been given I moved a few paces to the front. No one following I turned around viewing a scene which made me sick at heart. The right of the Regiment had no formation, the enemy charging from that direction flanking and doubling us up like so many helpless sheep. Company A fought with desperation retreating slowly as they sent their leaden missiles into the irregular ranks of the Confederates." He goes on to describe the fighting on the rest of that day and looking for wounded comrades at night. He describes the bombardment of July 3rd and of Pickett's Charge he says "About half the afternoon had passed when General Pickett made his celebrated charge coming toward us in grand style, supported by columns in their rear, arms held at a 'right shoulder shift' reflecting the bright rays of the sun…. On they came apparently regardless of the shells exploding before them…Closely observing the advancing lines case-shot or grape would take the place of shells, every artillery-man moving as though his life was at stake…. The Confederate lines of battle began to waver and soon they are broken into disordered ranks retreating in confusion…Hundreds of them hasten to our lines holding their caps above their heads throwing down rifles as a sign of surrender."

Davis is wounded in the shoulder during the battle of Wapping Heights July 23, 1863 and ends the war in the VRC. However, the story does not end there. According to his pension file he is declared insane in 1872 and sent to a New York State asylum. Apparently the wounds he received aggravated certain nerves which caused him to have "fits" from time to time. Davis' Uncle and the father of the man he wrote the memoir to is appointed his guardian. Over the years Davis write some letters accusing his relative of fraud and trying to take his pension money. In 1901 Davis writes a heartbreaking letter to The Commissioner of Pensions." In this letter Davis begs for help in being released. He says " I have been a poor, friendless man left totally in the care of Physicians for thirty-two years and I am convinced they bring from one to two delirious spells a year upon me for scientific purposes and with the hope of getting my pension raised to seventy two dollars a month. Davis goes on to beg for help. Sadly, no help is given and as of the last document in the pension file dated October 14, 1927, Davis is still in the hospital.

This is an outstanding memoir just packed with great passages and information. Military and pension records come with the item, as well as a typewritten transcription.

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