In 1825, The American Tract Society joined a growing printing revolution, using the latest in industrial printing technology to flood the United States with Christian literature.  Within a few years, they were printing over 5 million pages annually to be distributed by over 2,000 agents across the country.

By the Civil War, their efforts focused on providing printed religious text to US Soldiers and Sailors, though they also distributed material among Confederate forces.

Titled “The Soldier’s Text Book or CONFIDENCE IN THE TIME OF WAR.” “BY THE REV. J. R. MACDUFF, D. D.” – this pocket-sized piece is wrapped in a slightly faded black-brown cloth cover over paper boards.  Very light fraying is noted at the top front and rear. A solid pressed border and textured pattern are noted, along with a gilt motif on the front cover of a dove of peace flying over the Bible and through rays of light, while text above and below reads “Glad Tidings” and “SOLDIER’S TEXT BOOK.” The title page lists the publisher as “THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK.”, just below an excerpt of Psalms 27:3 concerning war, death, and heaven. The flyleaf has some penciled writing but is largely illegible – once a probable ID.  A light water stain obscures some of the writing at the top and extends through page 21 (though it has not altered the text or readability of the book).  All pages are complete and crisp with no edge wear (there is a small corner crease from pages 43-46 on two leaves). Overall measurements are 4.5” x 3.95”.

A nice relic of the period’s deep focus on matters of the spirit and a neat piece of the Civil War soldier’s personal kit.  [cm][ph:L]

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