This well-worn but sturdy New Testament measures 6 inches by 3 ¾ inches wide. It contains approximately 230 pages. The book is bound in a coarse fabric that is very worn as there are many spots of fading and lightening of the front and back. Despite its worn look, the binding is intact. There is foxing throughout, and one small bookworm took a few bites out of the upper lefthand corner of each page beginning on the title page, but this adds to the charm and does not detract. This New Testament is dated 1834.

The 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as Baxter's Fire Zouaves, was formed in Philadelphia in August 1861 and saw action in many of the war’s most significant battles, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania, and it participated in many small engagements along the way. The regiment was mustered out of service in August 1864.

The inner cover page has a period ink inscription: “Capt. Charles McGonigle / 72^nd Regiment Penn. Vol. / Company “B,” Col. Baxter’s / April 2^nd, 1862.” Very little is known about Captain McGonigle, so he is a subject that stands more research. What we do know is that Captain McGonigle was killed in action at Savage’s Station on June 29, 1862 and that is the extent of it. This piece is from a great regiment and a makes a fun research project!  [cla][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!