Beschreibung:

Lot of 4, including three Civil War pocket diaries written by Benjamin F. Harrington of the 4th Iowa Cavalry. Harrington's first diary, approx. 4 x 6 in., 115pp, spans August 5, 1862, through April 29, 1863; the second diary, approx. 3 x 4.75 in., 117pp, spans April 30, 1863, through December 31, 1863; and the third diary, approx. 4 x 6.75 in., 90pp, spans March 16, 1865, through December 31, 1865. Another pocket diary previously belonging to an unidentified Confederate soldier, but seemingly used primarily as an expense book, accompanies the Harrington diaries. Twenty-year old Benjamin F. Harrington (1841-1906) enlisted on 2/11/1862 as a private and on 3/8/1862 mustered into Co. E., Iowa 4th Cavalry. He re-enlisted on 2/28/1864 before his promotion to quarter master sergeant on 12/24/1864. Harrington mustered out on 8/8/1865 at Atlanta, Georgia. During his more than three years of service with the Iowa 4th, Harrington was predominantly in the Western Theater where his regiment participated in major engagements including the Vicksburg Campaign. The regiment concluded the war performing occupation duties in Georgia. Harrington is a thoughtful diarist who paints a vivid portrait of his daily life as a soldier. His near daily entries include excellent detail about troop movements, engagements, and the Confederate landscape. Writing from along the Mississippi River as his regiment fought its way to Vicksburg, Harrington notes the names and locations of the plantations on which they stayed: "Thursday, May 7th 1863... I walked 18 miles passed Mr. Perkins plantation at Perkins landing. The old rebel owns 1100 acres. He destroyed his own property to keep it from us. Passed Dr. Bowie's plantations ... the most splendid I ever saw, buildings all burned." Confederates were encountered regularly, as during the small but strategically important Battle of Richmond: "Tuesday, May 12th / 63 / Were ready for the march early and as soon as the Infantry came up with us moved on, had not advanced more than 2 miles when our advance was fired into at Fourteen-Mile Creek. The firing was rapid for 15.00-20 minutes. The Infantry and Art. coming up soon routed them but we could not follow up our advantage as the rebs had burned the bridge." After the fall of Vicksburg Harrington then rides with Sherman as part of the Jackson Expedition: "Wednesday, July 8th 1863 ...Started again at 4PM met the enemy near Clinton had quite a brisk skirmish. We are laying in the woods in line of battle nothing to feed our horses. The Reb's have put carcasses in the ponds so that is very hard to get water for our horses." Despite the hardship of his soldier's life, Harrington is confident in his purpose reflecting on New Year's Eve 1863:"Our Nation by God's help is fast emerging from darkness and gloom to the light that is destined for a free nation. The downtrodden ten millions are becoming men. We are fast learning to know that the black man has rights and men are becoming willing that he should enjoy them." Harrington opens his final diary as a Union soldier noting that he lost a journal near Jackson, Mississippi, and then another was stolen by a thief. This third diary details his regiment's participation in Wilson's Raid through Alabama and into Georgia, including accounts of the Battle of Selma (April 2, 1865) and the Battle of Columbus (April 16, 1865). On April 24, 1865, Harrington writes that he received news of Lee's surrender, and regarding Lincoln's assassination, hopes that "Rumor has told another lie." The remainder of the diary describes time garrisoned in Georgia with Harrington's characteristic description and detail. A notable post-war comment concerns his fellow 4th Iowa Cavalry soldier Norman F. Bates who was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 16, 1865. Harrington writes on July 4th of that same year, "Bates was presented with a 'Medal of Honor' for capturing a flag at Columbus. But instead of capturing it he found it in a house after the fight was ove