Beschreibung:

Standard 12mo autograph book, second leaf with A.E. Howard in elaborate calligraphy. The autographs are mostly in rank order, and those dated are from Feb. 1866, around the time the unit was mustered out at City Point, VA. The first name is Colonel Stephen Moffitt, followed by Lt. Col. George W. Hindes; Alexander M. Stephens, Adjutant; Courtlandt G. Babcock, Major; Allen Babcok, 1st. Lieut; and Robert W. Brady, Surgeon. The Captains follow: Henry C. Buckman, Co. H; Moses E. Orr, Co. A; William B. Brokaw, Co. F; Moses Gill, Co. I; Earl Pierce, Co. A; Oscar B. Colvin, Co. B; Marvin H. Bumphrey, Pvt. Co. K; Thomas Emmet Allen, Co. K; Merlin C. Harris, Co. C and James McCarty, Co. E. On the page before Merlin Harris and continuing around his name and ending before McCarty is a 2+ page entry from J.M.C. Harris, Acting Inspector, Capt. Bvt. Major. The entry describes the condition of the unit, its equipment, its flag, and ends with: My mouth waters at each attempt to describe my appreciation of the services of the cook in charge of the Mess room - and even my pen stammers when I write of her good qualities & graces. I recommend that she be commissioned to a rank one grade above the Post Commander & that she be brevetted for patient and Meritorious Services and I hereby order the Post Commander to double her contingent funds - this order to take effect immediately. The First Lieutenants: Thomas Burke Co. B; George S. Cady, Co. D; Lyman Bridges, Co. C; Alonzo E. Howard, Co. K; Orlando P. Benson, Co. G; Curtis Bly, Co. A; and Chas. H. Hogan, Co. F. The Second Lieutenants: Amos S. Richardson, Co. D; Ilias Finch, Co. H; Judson C. Ware, Co. K; Charles S. Sharron, Co. E (in database as Sherrow); Alexander McMartin, Co. A; G. Washington Harris, Co. F; and Stanford H. Bugbee, Co. B. A few other privates follow: Curtis Clements (Co. K); Sewell Bunker (Co. K). There is one name in the middle of the 1st. Lieuts., G.A. Johnson, Jackson Co., Wis. Scattered in the back are about 20 more names, most with dates of 1874, 1877, 1880, 1886, and 1891, and most from Wisconsin. It is the latter date that may hold a clue, since two gentlemen, George Kidder and A.F. Adams, both noted they were from the Y.M.C.A. District Convention, Feb. 20-22, 1891. Not much is known of Alonzo Howard. He enlisted as Sergeant of Co. A, 96th New York Infantry on Oct. 10, 1861 at Potsdam, to serve 3 years at the age of 23. He veteranized with his unit in January 1864, and was promoted to 2nd Lieut. (Co. D) and then 1st. Lieut. (Co. K). The 96th was known as the "Plattsburg Regiment," since many of the men came from that part of the state. The 96th was mustered into federal service in March 1862, and left for Washington on the 11th. It went to the Peninsula with the Army of the Potomac. The unit saw action at many battles - Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Richmond, Bottom's Bridge, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill. It then moved to Fortress Monroe. The unit's Colonel, James Fairman was discharged and Charles Gray put in charge, only to lose his life at Kingston in December. They moved to North Carolina, where they spent most of 1863, returning to Virginia the next year to see action at Bermuda Hundred, City Point, Swift Creek, Fort Darling, Drury's bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Chaffin's Farm, Fair Oaks. They were involved in the occupation of Richmond and remained on guard/peace-keeping duties until Feb. 1866, when they were mustered out at City Point. The unit lost 70 men in battle and 160 from other causes, including 36 in prison. Condition: Wear to edges of covers, front hinge splitting. One page torn and repaired, not affecting autograph. Binding is loosening, but holding.