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THBPrivate Alfred K. Ludy, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Civil War Diary
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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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 pocket diary, 3 x 5 in., containing approx. 84pp, identified to Private Alfred Ludy, a German who enlisted in October 1861 and mustered into Co. M of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Diary entries, which are typically simple, sporadic, and sometimes accompanied by sketches, date from October 1861 to early 1863.
Ludy's entries begin with notations regarding his family history, followed by a brief description of when he was sworn in in October 1861. Throughout the diary, Ludy notes battles in which he participated as well as the movements of his unit, including marching through Pottstown, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Falls Church, Fairfax, Centreville, Bull Run, etc. He also records his travels to Fortress Monroe, Yorktown, Williamsburg, and New Kent Court House, where..."we had a skirmish with the reppels. It was some shots fired and then the reppels dit commence to throw Bomshells after our Regiment...we dit retreat to our Camp as fast as our Horses could run...we was in a fight about 5 Miles from Bottom Bridge 3 of our Men got killed and 6 wounded...the reppels shells dit visiled very loud..." [May 1862].
Between May 31 and June 1, 1862 [Fair Oaks - sketch of battlefield added], Ludy writes..."four terrible Bayonet charges...the rebels driven back a mile at the point of the bayonet...our loss three thousand...173 of the Enemy killed by Bayonet. Twelve hundred Rebels left dead on the Field. Gen. McClellan on the Battle Field- the Balloon Operation...May 31...our mens got driven back...On Sunday...the Rebels were driven at every point with heavy loss...5000 wounded and 1500 killed...retreat from Fair Oaks to Harrison landing to James River..."
He writes about his march to Fredericksburg, and includes a diagram and names of crossways where he was on picket duty. On December 11, 1862, Ludy provides a detailed account of the French and Hancock Divisions at Fredericksburg..."there the battle dit commence on the 11th of Dec. at 4 o clock in the morning, and it dit last all day...our men fought and fell back apiece, so we left Fredericksburg...French crossed the river first, Hancock following both divisions engage the enemy in the city. French drove the rebels out on the right on our side. Killed 1128 Wounded 9105 and Missing 2078...they say the rebel loss was about 3 thousand of General A.P. Hill..." The remainder of the diary is similar in content, with Ludy discussing battles including Fair Oaks and 7 Days Battle, specific figures such as General Sumner and CSA General Smith, including criticism of General Hooker, a break down of divisions, brigades, corps, etc., details on the number of officers, pay and clothing accounts, and more.
There are some loose pages, but all writing is clear. Entries are mostly in ink, but some are in dark pencil. Leather on the spine has worn away.Condition
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