This is a small group of two items identified to Captain William F. Silloway of the 25th Connecticut Volunteers.

The first item is a small pocket sized book entitled “LALLA ROOKH: AN ORIENTAL ROMANCE” by Thomas Moore. No date of printing is given. This little volume meas. approx. 3.00 x 4.25 inches and runs 232 pages. The book has hard covers wrapped in a green cloth that has faded to a very light green. The covers are embossed with scrollwork decoration as is the spine. The title appears on the spine in worn gold lettering. There is some wear to the corners and top and bottom of the spine. Covers also have moderate surface dirt with some light staining. Hinges are weak but holding. The first page has a period pencil inscription across the top that reads “CAPT. WM. F. SILLOWAY-25TH REGT. C.V.” Across the page from this inscription is another period pencil ID that reads “MARY SILLOWAY-HARTFORD, CONN.” It is believed that Mary was the wife of Captain Silloway. For some reason Captain Silloway felt the need to write his name again at the top of page 230 and on the second to last page in the book. The interior pages are worn with much surface dirt and some water staining. It goes without saying that this book was carried by Captain Silloway through his service and it shows.

Also with the book is a full standing view of Captain Silloway in uniform. He is posed with his arms by his side. He wears a dark frock coat with shoulder straps and dark trousers with a light leg stripe. At his waist is his sash and belt with a Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword. Bottom of mount is nicely signed in period ink CAPT. WM. F. SILLOWAY.” Reverse has a nice photographer’s imprint of Columbia standing holding a US flag and shield. Imprint reads N. A. & R. MOORE…THE ALLYN HOUSE.

Information on Captain SIlloway is scarce. He was living in Hartford when he was commissioned a Captain in Company K, 25th Connecticut Infantry on August 20, 1862. He was mustered in with his regiment on November 11, 1862 and sent to Louisiana. The 25th became part of the 19th Corps and saw action at Baton Rouge, Brasher City, Irish Bend and the siege of Port Hudson where Captain Silloway was wounded on May 12, 1863. How severely the Captain was wounded is not known. He may or may not have been present for the 25^th’s last two engagements at Brasher City and Bayou Boeuf. The regiments 9 months service having expired Captain Silloway returned with his regiment to Hartford where he was mustered out on August 26, 1863.

Retrieving the Captain’s records from the National Archives may reveal some interesting stories and disclose the nature and severity of his wound.

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