Lot of 5, featuring 1863 pocket diary and photographs. Gilbert McLoon was a 23-year old farmer in Lowell, MA when he enlisted in the 1st MA Cavalry in early October 1861. He was mustered into Co. H October 9 for a three-year term of service. He left in November 1864 rather than veteranizing. Lot features four photographs showing who appears to be McLoon at various ages, the first, a tintype of McLoon in his uniform holding a bugle and sword. Buttons, shoulder scales, hat device, belt plate gilt highlighted. Identified on the page as Gilbert McLoon, Co. H. 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. The remaining photographs, all CDVs, include an identified view of McLoon holding an infant on his lap with his wife standing beside him, as well as portraits of the subject in his later years. Also included is a pocket diary for 1863 (3.75 x 6 in.). McLoon has not filled in every date (three per page) and most are filled out in pencil. Spelling is a bit creative (but it is phonetic). At the beginning of the year, the regiment is mostly on guard and scouting assignments. With the spring came the new campaigns, but first a Grand Review. On April 7, he writes: "Grand review of the whole of the Cavalry of the army of the Potomac by President Lincon and his wife the bigest review that ever took place in this army..." Two days later there was another review for several Generals, some of their wives, the Postmaster General and other officers. Shortly after the regiment started moving. By late April is the lead up to Fredericksburg, although the regiment would not be directly engaged. It then moved to Falmouth, Beal's Station, and other towns along the Rappahannock. The last week of June the regiment was at Aldie Court House before being ordered toward Gettysburg. July 1: "Our Regt lay in the wood at Manchester M.D. Our Regt D[e]tached to Gen. [blank] got orders to march marched at 8 P.M. we make the march all night." July 2. It arrived in the middle of the second day's fight. "Passed threw the place called union mills on the Pike Road leading to Geties Burge Pa. passing threw Little Town the Battle was in its hight of rage...we came in fast." July 3: "The Battle raging still... [at] Geties Burge Our Regt joined the brigade...The Batt[le] was raging at 1 o'clock & died away at 2 o'clock to a mor steady fire." July 4: "Not much fighting the men wer in gaged in picking up the wounded & Ber rieng [burying] the dead." After this, it spent most of the summer on the move. Among the other areas "visited" by the 1st MA Cavalry were Harpers Ferry, Warrenton, Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Brandy Station, Rapidan Station, and more throughout the Shenandoah region. McLoon is much more sporadic in journal-keeping after the first part of October with only a few entries toward the end of the year. Condition: One page missing between May 18 and 25. Covers are rough, some toning of page edges. Has been wet at some point, but it was a field diary.
Lot of 5, featuring 1863 pocket diary and photographs. Gilbert McLoon was a 23-year old farmer in Lowell, MA when he enlisted in the 1st MA Cavalry in early October 1861. He was mustered into Co. H October 9 for a three-year term of service. He left in November 1864 rather than veteranizing. Lot features four photographs showing who appears to be McLoon at various ages, the first, a tintype of McLoon in his uniform holding a bugle and sword. Buttons, shoulder scales, hat device, belt plate gilt highlighted. Identified on the page as Gilbert McLoon, Co. H. 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. The remaining photographs, all CDVs, include an identified view of McLoon holding an infant on his lap with his wife standing beside him, as well as portraits of the subject in his later years. Also included is a pocket diary for 1863 (3.75 x 6 in.). McLoon has not filled in every date (three per page) and most are filled out in pencil. Spelling is a bit creative (but it is phonetic). At the beginning of the year, the regiment is mostly on guard and scouting assignments. With the spring came the new campaigns, but first a Grand Review. On April 7, he writes: "Grand review of the whole of the Cavalry of the army of the Potomac by President Lincon and his wife the bigest review that ever took place in this army..." Two days later there was another review for several Generals, some of their wives, the Postmaster General and other officers. Shortly after the regiment started moving. By late April is the lead up to Fredericksburg, although the regiment would not be directly engaged. It then moved to Falmouth, Beal's Station, and other towns along the Rappahannock. The last week of June the regiment was at Aldie Court House before being ordered toward Gettysburg. July 1: "Our Regt lay in the wood at Manchester M.D. Our Regt D[e]tached to Gen. [blank] got orders to march marched at 8 P.M. we make the march all night." July 2. It arrived in the middle of the second day's fight. "Passed threw the place called union mills on the Pike Road leading to Geties Burge Pa. passing threw Little Town the Battle was in its hight of rage...we came in fast." July 3: "The Battle raging still... [at] Geties Burge Our Regt joined the brigade...The Batt[le] was raging at 1 o'clock & died away at 2 o'clock to a mor steady fire." July 4: "Not much fighting the men wer in gaged in picking up the wounded & Ber rieng [burying] the dead." After this, it spent most of the summer on the move. Among the other areas "visited" by the 1st MA Cavalry were Harpers Ferry, Warrenton, Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Brandy Station, Rapidan Station, and more throughout the Shenandoah region. McLoon is much more sporadic in journal-keeping after the first part of October with only a few entries toward the end of the year. Condition: One page missing between May 18 and 25. Covers are rough, some toning of page edges. Has been wet at some point, but it was a field diary.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
