GETTYSBURG WOUNDED: PRESENTATION BIBLE OF LUCIUS H. CHILSON, CO. E, 2ND MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, FROM WARE, MASS., 1861

GETTYSBURG WOUNDED: PRESENTATION BIBLE OF LUCIUS H. CHILSON, CO. E, 2ND MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, FROM WARE, MASS., 1861

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Item Code: 557-306

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments. New York: American Bible Society, 1858. Pearl Reference edition, 18mo. Approx. 3 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches, bound in black leather with an ornate blind-embossed panel design.

A war-date, partly printed presentation label within an ornamental border is tipped onto the front pastedown. It is completed in ink and reads: "Lucius H. Chilson / Of Capt. Quincey's Company, / In Col. Gordon's Reg't., / From Ware, Mass. / Presented by Wm. Hyde and F. De Witt. / Ware, June 1, 1861." The label is a printed form with the recipient's name added by hand. This suggests Hyde and De Witt furnished Bibles to several of the Ware men enlisting in the company.

The title page repeats the presentation in ink: "Lucius H. Chilson, Presented by F. DeWitt & Wm Hyde, Both of Ware." Chilson's signature, "L. H. Chilson," appears on the title page beneath the imprint.

Chilson was a machinist from Perkinsville, Vermont, working in Ware when he enlisted there on May 11, 1861. He was mustered in at Camp Andrew, West Roxbury, on May 25, 1861, as a private in Capt. Samuel M. Quincy's Company E of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Col. George H. Gordon's regiment. The Ware presentation followed one week after muster.

Chilson was later promoted corporal. He was wounded at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, when the 2nd Massachusetts was ordered across the open ground of Spangler's Meadow against Confederate troops entrenched at the base of Culp's Hill. The charge cost the regiment its commander, Lt. Col. Charles R. Mudge, and more than 40 percent of the men engaged. Chilson was mustered out in May 1864 at the expiration of his three-year term.

LATER INSCRIPTIONS

The front free endpaper carries a pencil inscription: "Mr. George W. Morse ... March 9 1864 / of Ware," followed by "Miss Nellie Morse born [?] Ware village Mass."

The facing flyleaf carries a pencil family record: "Leroy Albert Lyon / Was born Feb 21 18[--] / Wednesday Morning" and "Mary Hellen Lyon / was born Nov 26, 1897 / Friday night / And died the 28 Sunday Morning."

These entries record the Bible's later passage through Ware-area families.   [ss][ph:L]

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