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THBCivil War Diary of Private John E. Gibson, 190th Pennsylvania, with Reference to Lincoln's Death
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Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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About Auction
LiveJun 22, 2018
Cowan’s American History: Premier Auction, scheduled for June 22, 2018 is comprised of early photographs, documents, manuscripts, broadsides, flags, and more dating from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Late Indian Wars, World War I and II and beyond. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
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- Lot Description
Leather diary for 1865, 3.5 x 4.75 in., identified to Private John E. Gibson, who served with the 190th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Approx. 128pp of entries.
Private Gibson begins the 1865 diary with a reference to the officers celebrating New Years by getting drunk, while the enlisted men were given hardtack and “salt horse”. Additionally, he notes on January 1 that the the rebels tried to surprise their pickets.
On January 3, reports circulated of the bombardment of Ft. Fisher [NC] by Porter’s fleet, and on January 4, rumors of a peace mission were printed in the newspapers.
Gibson writes on January 7 that Colonel John Pattee issued a number of field promotions as New Year’s gifts. Corporal Quinton was promoted to sergeant. Orderly Sergeant Coalman was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. Following the war, Colonel Pattee promoted his group of traveling musicians – “The Old Soldier Fiddlers” consisting of 2 CSA vets and 2 US Army vets.
Private Gibson later mentions the “Bucktails on picket”. He adds that the Bucktails, also known as the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles, which were assembled from rugged western PA woodsmen of McKean County, “drive the rebels and kill or wound a great many rebels."
On February 20th the diary notes that a man from the 6th New Hampshire Regiment was shot for desertion. Late in February, Private Gibson became quite ill and was moved from the hospital at City Point, VA via the Steamer State of Maine to Armory Square Hospital in Washington. Gibson writes that “the surgeon...states diseased with Pneumonia.” State of Maine later became part of the famous Fall River Line from Boston to New York
On March 2, Gibson says...“I am very kindly treated especially by the Lady of the ward.” On March 4, referring to Lincoln’s Inaugural Speech, he writes...“a great crowd to hear the Inauguration Speech which was brief.” On March 6, Gibson records “News of Sherman gaining another victory over Early.” On March 9, Gibson attends a performance of the Harmony Indians singing a war song.
Gibson earned a furlough to his home in Harrisburg, PA in late March. His return to Washington on April 11 was eventful. His train ran off the tracks about 5 miles from Washington. The passengers were forced to walk into the capital. The Grand Illumination occurred that evening as citizens lit thousands of candles and lanterns in celebration of Union victories. Speeches by President Lincoln and Vice President Johnson were part of the event.
On April 14, Private Gibson writes...“News of the assassination of President Lincoln burst on the city. Patrols were out. Every man in the hospital who could walk was put on guard...” The streets were crowded with people anxious to hear the news on April 15. A citizen was run “clear through” by a soldier’s bayonet when he tells the soldier he wished Abe had been shot long ago. Gibson writes that “Booth captured and put in prison for the murder of President Lincoln.” This news proved incorrect by April 16. Sentries were placed in the ward and the hospital was wrapped in mourning. April 17 brought news that “Mobile surrendered to the American Army.” Booth was not yet captured. A salute is fired to honor the capture of Mobile. Private Gibson went to see the President’s body.
The private describes the procession for Lincoln’s funeral on April 19…Saw “Johnston [sic], Grant, Stanton and Scott. 21 guns fired from every fort." On April 20, Gibson writes...“saw the body of President Lincoln at the capital.” On April 24, Private Gibson records that Booth had broken his leg and was captured; April 27, he writes, "Booth the murderer of President Lincoln Shot - Harrold [sic] Captured"; and on April 28, the diary reports that General Joseph Johnston surrendered to General Sherman. A salute was fired in honor of Johnston. The private writes “a proclamation by President Johnston [sic] to discharge all soldiers in hospitals who need no further treatment.” Private Gibson’s service concluded in the spring of 1865. He had served honorably in the Army of the Potomac and was in Washington as historic and tragic events unfolded surrounding the conclusion of a bitter and bloody Civil War as well as the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Wear typical considering age, with most entries clear, legible. Few pages separated from binding, few with torn off sections at bottom. Wear to leather covers.Condition
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