By Brigadier-General Silas Casey, published by D. Van Nostrand, New York, 1862. 279, 183 pp., fldg. plates. In green buckram, 3.5” x 5, w/ gilt spine lettering. Both volumes exhibit moderate wear of covers and at the extremities. Owner signature, vol. III eps—“Lieut. H.E. Bailey / Co. H 144^th New York.” Also initials “H.E.” in front eps, Vol. II (the rest torn off. Endpapers in both volumes contain random pencil scribbling and drawings.

Carte de Visite displays Lt. Bailey in bust facial image, sporting mustache and goatee. No back mark, image clear, w/inked inscription on reverse:  “2^nd Lt. Bailey / Co. H. 144^th NY vol.”

Born 8/5/40 in Masonville, Delaware County, NY, Horace Bailey enlisted as sergeant and was mustered into Co. “B”, 144^th NY Infantry at Masonville, NY, 8/25/1862.  He was promoted to 2^nd Lt, transferring to Co. “H”, 6/3/1863, and to 1^st Lt.., 11/23/1864, and was mustered out at Hilton Head, S.C., 6/25/1865.

After serving with the Washington defenses through July 1863, the 144^th engaged in the pursuit of Lee’s army following Gettysburg, and was then transferred to the South Carolina Hilton Head area, engaged in Morris and James Island operations, and including the Battle of Honey Hill, S.C., 11/30/1864, in which Bailey received three wounds.

From Biographical Sketches of the Leading Citizens of Otsego County NY 1893:

“…when discharged he was First Lieutenant in command of his company. He was wounded three times, once by a cannon ball. During the battle of Honeyhill, while helping a crippled officer to a place of safely, a cannon ball passed through the body of the office and burned the cheek of Lieutenant Bailey, doing him no serious injury, while the comrade was, of course, instantly killed. Lieutenant Bailey remained in the hospital but two days, when he rejoined his regiment, and was with it in all of its battles and skirmishes until it was discharged.”

Bailey died on 7/15/1920 and is buried in Saint Matthew’s Cemetery in Unadilla, Otsego County, NY.

Excellent memento of a gallant 144^th New York soldier. Accompanied by research material. [jp/ld] [ph:L]

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