Black blind stamped leather w/gilt—“Autographs”—cover lettering.  Spine has been rebound w/black cloth tape. Measures  8 x 5.25”, containing approximately 60 gilt edged leaves. The first entry features ] a presentation signing—“Sue W. Langston/ from her friend/  Nellie C. Mendenhall/  St. Mary’s Hall/ Sept. 9^th 1863”. The second signature is  “Elisabeth C. Sangston/ Baltimore/ Maryland.”

Then come eight male autographs, beginning with “Very truly y. friend/ Wm G. Harrison”, followed by a group of seven identified Confederate soldiers:

[1] “Charles Parkhill/ 3^rd Co. Rich’d  Howitzers/  1^st Battalion Va. Light Artillery/ 1^st Army Corps/ Army Northern Virginia”. Enlisted as a Private, date unknown.  No other information found.

[2]  “J. Wm. Towson/ Black Horse Cav./ CSA/ Baltimore MD.” Born in Williamsport, MD.  Resident of Baltimore when he enlisted as a Private on 6/9/63.    On that date he mustered into Co. H, 4^th Virginia Cavalry.  Listed as present at:  Gettysburg, Brandy Station, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Trevillian Station.  Paroled at Winchester, 5/8/65.  Date & method of discharge not given.  Moved to Missouri in 1866, served as mayor of Shelbina, MO and served two terms in the Missouri State Legislature.  Died 11/23/1920 in Shelbina.

[3] James S. Gywnn Lieut / Co. “A”  5^th Reg. Va. Cavalry/ Fitz Lee Division / A.N.V.” A resident of Gloucester Court House, VA when he enlisted on 3/1/64 as a Private.  On that date he mustered into Co. A, 5^th Virginia Cavalry.  Promoted to 2^nd Lieut, date not given.  His horse was killed at Winchester on 9/17/64 and he was taken prisoner.  Transferred to Camp Chase, OH 9/1/964; transferred to Fort Delaware 9/23/64.  Exchanged on 9/28/64.  Taken prisoner again on 4/1/65 at Dinwiddie Court House.  Transferred to Old Capitol Prison, Washington, DC on 4/6/65.  Transferred to Johnson’s Island, OH 5/15/65.  Took Oath of Allegiance & released on 6/18/65.

[4] S. B. Shelton Capt. /  Co “B” 26^th Va. Infy./ Wise Brigade/ Johnsons Division/ Andersons Corps A. N.V.” Enlisted on 4/23/61 at Gloucester Court House, VA as a 1^st Lieut.  On that date he was commissioned into Co. B, 26^th Virginia.  Listed as:  POW 6/15/64 Petersburg, VA; confined 6/17/64 at Fort Delaware, DE; exchanged 9/28/64, place not stated; Detailed 11/15/64 as enrolling officer, Bedford County, VA; Returned 2/15/65 (place not stated, estimated day); Wounded 4/6/65 Sailor’s Creek, VA.  Promoted to Capt. 10/15/63.  Date & method of discharge not given.

[5] “V. H. Faunt Le Roy / Capt. Co. “I”  55th Va. Regt. /  Barton’s  Brigade / Lees Division/ Ewells Corps / A. N. V.” Virginius Hillman Fauntleroy enlisted on 7/18/61 as a private and was mustered into Co. C, 55^th Virginia.  Promoted to 1^st Lt. on 12/15/62 and to Captain on 9/14/64.  5/5/62 transferred to Co. I from Co. C  Faunt Le Roy was wounded at the Battle of  2^nd Manassas in the forehead, he escaped from capture in June 1863, and was later re-captured at Sailors Creek in April 1865 and confined at Johnson’s Island, OH, until  his release in June  1865.

[6] “H. Clay Tompkins/ Lieut. 22^nd Va. Infy/ A. N.V.” Little information found, just that he did serve in Co. A, 22^nd Virginia Infantry Battalion.

[7] “Archibald. Oden /  Co. A 43^rd Va / Martinsburg”. Enlisted on 4/20/61 at Harper’s Ferry as a Private.  Mustered into Co. D, 2^nd Virginia Infantry.  Discharged for disability on 9/28/62.  Also had service in Co. A, Mosby’s Cavalry.  No roster listed for the 43^rd Virginia – it did not complete organization.

The regiment / brigade command structure  these autographs present indicates that they were entered in this book in the fall of 1864.

To the rear of the book are a number of female autographs, dating mostly from 1864 and 1865, and in the rear end-papers a passage of biblical quotation from 1^st John III: 23, written and signed by W.H. Odenheimer [1817-76], the third Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey, dated Feb 3. 1864.

In terms of condition, the book exhibits medium wear and rubbing round the outer extremities. Internal leaves exhibit slight soiling, else VG, w/the autographs remaining sharp and entirely legible.

Also included, a letter dated “Virginia House, Columbia, SC,  March 19, 1878, containing two pages of business commentary from a son named “Charley” to an unknown father. An intriguing Baltimore/Confederate collectible. The soldiers autographs invite further research.