This group contains a diary and several documents relating to George Galbraith who served as a Private in Company B, 15^th Vermont. Also in the group are two enhanced and tinted photos of him and his wife in later years.

The first document in the group is Galbraith’s eagle masthead discharge. The document is filled out in bold, legible ink and is in excellent condition with one horizontal and three vertical fold lines.

The next document in the group is a May 1864 United State Internal Revenue License for Galbraith to practice medicine. Document is rather ornate with an illustration of a spread-winged eagle resembling the 1858 dress hat insignia. Document is in excellent condition with one horizontal and three vertical fold lines.

Next is a United States Pension Bureau document from January 1913 awarding Galbraith a pension. Document is filled out in very legible ink and has two slight horizontal fold lines.

The next document is a document printed in red ink and filled out in legible black ink. The document is dated March 5, 1892. Again, this document has two horizontal fold lines but these show minor separations at ends.

Another Internal Revenue License for June of 1866. This one has a different eagle in the masthead from the previous one. Filled out in legible ink with the usual minor fold lines.

Small period envelope marked “SOLDIER’S BIBLE” with a small booklet titled “THE SOLDIER’S POCKET-BIBLE ISSUED FOR THE USE OF THE ARMY OF OLIVER CROMWELL AD 1643.” This little soft cover booklet was published by the American Tract Society of New York and runs approx. 32 pages. Looks to be complete. Minor wear to edges.

A wartime document filled out entirely by hand in ink. It is a descriptive list for Galbraith. Document is dated January 23, 1863. The document states that George Galbraith was a Private aged 26 years with black eyes, black hair and dark complexion. That he stood 5’ 10” and was from Barnet, Vermont, that he was a Physician by trade who enlisted at Danville, Vermont on September 8, 1862. Document is signed by 1^st Lt. Lucius Gerry of CO. B, 15^th Vermont. Document has numerous fold lines and tape residue along one edge.

The last documents in the group are three medicine advertisements and a long obituary for Galbraith taken from an unnamed newspaper on Friday, March 24, 1922.

The diary meas. approx. 3.00 x 5.00 inches and is a pocket diary for 1862. The pages have browned and are worn around the edges. Covers are starting to come loose and the cloth flap is torn. Inside the front cover the diary is inscribed “GEO. H. GALBRAITH / CO.B 15^TH N.H. VOL. / BARNET, VT.” The diary is filled out in pencil and with patience and time can be read. The entries cover his entire 9 months service including the Gettysburg Campaign. July 1^st he writes “… we are up with the main army. Firing is going on yet until dark. About 7 o’clock. There will be a great fight it will all go well with us.” July 2^nd “A fight is going on, hear terrible firing since 5 o’clock. In line of battle…trust God will protect us in our right. The battle going on at dark. The 15^th has gone as train guard.” July 3^rd “Marched at 6 from Taneytown. Rest at 6 p. m. very tired.” He then talks about a possible battle on the 4^th and mentions seeing rebel prisoners. Diary ends on November 5, 1863. Pages dirty and a few stained.

All the documents come in a three-ring binder in protective sheets.

The two images with the group are two framed 8 x 10 portraits of Galbraith and his wife in old age. These appear to be heavily tinted photographs. Both are in good condition with strong colors.

George Henry Galbraith was born in Vermont near Barnet in December of 1832. He attended St. Johnsburg Academy, the University of Vermont and Dartmouth and graduated in 1861 as a physician.

Right after graduation he enlisted as a Private in Company B, 15^th Vermont Infantry for 9 months. He was promoted to Corporal on December 6, 1862 but was reduced to Private at his own request on January 18, 1863. He saw action at Gettysburg with the rest of Stannard’s Vermont Brigade. He was discharged in August of 1863 and went into the practice of medicine and eventually moved to Pennsylvania.

He died on March 23, 1922 and is buried in Prospect Cemetery, Brackenridge, Pennsylvania.  [ad]

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