Edwin G. Fay, 107th New York, ADC to General Thomas Ruger, Civil War Diary Plus Signed CDV 

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• Lot Description
  Leather-bound diary, 4 x 6.5 in., of Edwin G. Fay, June 1864 - June 1865, accompanied by a signed CDV of Fay as 2nd Lieutenant, with Moulton & Larkin, Elmira, NY imprint.
  
  On July 14, 1862, at the age of 21, Edwin Fay enlisted as a Private into Co. C of the New York 107th Infantry. He was mustered out on June 5, 1865 at Washington, DC. During his term with the 107th, Fay was promoted to Sergeant Major, January 1, 1863 and to 2nd Lieutenant, May 3, 1863. He survived the war, died in June of 1902, and is buried in Elmira at Woodlawn Cemetery (as is Mark Twain).
  
  The 107th, also known as the Campbell Guards, formed at Elmira, NY, for a three-year assignment. It was noted for its efficiency and discipline, the first regiment from the North organized under the second call, and the first to arrive in the defenses of Washington. It fought at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and joined in pursuit of Lee in Virginia. In September, the 107th was stationed along the railroad in Murfreesboro. In May 1864, the regiment moved to the Atlanta campaign fighting at Resaca, Cassville, and Dallas.
  
  In June and July, 1864, the regiment was engaged at Kennesaw Mountain, fought at Peachtree creek, and took part in the siege of Atlanta. The 107th joined Sherman's march to the sea and took part in the final campaign of the Carolinas. It sustained 222 total deaths after three years of service.
  
  Fay’s diary begins June 2, 1864, and spans a period of time when he was a 2nd Lieutenant serving as Aide de Camp to General Thomas H. Ruger. They had joined General Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and were located in Dallas. They were soon engaged in battle. On June 6, 1864, Fay notes...met some rebel cavalry at Mr. Jackson’s house. Your brigade was leading. Col Hawley with his regt was ordered forward as skirmishers formed a line of battle.
  
  On June 11, he writes…Moved about two miles and took positions between Stanleys Div 4^th Corps and 23^rd AC... They were at Pine Hill moving toward Marietta… Rebels shelled us some killed two men...the rebels infilading our line. Maimed many.
  
  The battling moved slowly to Atlanta, with fighting at Kennesaw Mountain. On July 17^th, Fay notes that they… moved about three (3) o’clock am. Your brigade second in line, crossed the Chattahoochee river…
  
  On July 20, the 107th took part in the Battle of Peachtree Creek: Moved in the morning at seven (7) o’clock, crossed Peach Tree Creek, quite a fight in the afternoon. Maj Baldwin...wounded, Col Colgrove also.
  
  They continued a slow approach toward Atlanta, with Fay reporting on July 22...met the rebels and went into position on Marietta road, one mile from Atlanta. On August 1, they were…laying in line of battle about half mile from Atlanta. On September 2, they reached Atlanta and Fay reports: Heard a devil of a racket in the night in the direction of Atlanta. Sent 107th NY out in that direction...Brigade went in to Atlanta just at dusk. Atlanta was, at last, captured that day.
  
  In November, Ruger was assigned to lead a division of the XXIII Corps as part of the campaign against John B. Hood’s army in Tennessee. Fay accompanied him there and saw action in the Battle of Franklin on November 30: Arrived at Franklin at day light. Went into position on right of Columbia pike. Cox on left, Kimball on right Rebels commenced charging our line at 4 o’clock. Borrowed one wing 101st Ohio from Kimball and put it on right of Strickland Brig withdrew our line at midnight...started for Nashville.
  
  The diary continues to...the news of Lee's surrender... and ...some talk about Gen. [Joseph] Johnston surrendering... Unfortunately on April 17, news came of the death of President Lincoln. On April 18, News came that President Lincoln was all right. Sherman meets Johns[t]on at 12 o’clock. News confirmed in afternoon that President Lincoln was dead.
  
  On Tuesday, June 6, 1864, Fay wrote, I bid you good bye taking the 7 o’clock am train north. 

  Condition

  Diary handwritten in ink and in very good condition. Diary is approximately 6.5 X 4 in. and is leather bound. Signed CDV with some light spotting on surface, 3 cent internal revenue stamp on verso.
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