Diary of an Enlisted Man.
New Haven: Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Co, 1910. First edition. Hardcover. The Civil War journal of Lawrence Van Alstyne (1839 - 1923), resident of Sharon, Conn. who enlisted and served in the 128th New York Volunteers and the 90th U.S. Colored Troops. Van Alstyne was assigned to the "Corps d'Afrique" in New Orleans and in October of 1863 was near Vermillionville and a Rebel general's plantation. Van Alstyne writes of the blacks he encountered there, " they were more anxious to enlist than we were to have them. Even the women and children wanted to go, and we had more trouble to make them understand that only able-bodied men were wanted than we did to get them to enlist. That night they built a big bonfire, and hundreds upon hundreds were dancing" about it ... they finally got to singing, "Glory to God" and "Abe Linkum" and wound up with a prayer meeting ... (pp193-194). 8vo, 348pp. Green gilt cloth with gilt title at spine, gilt military decoration to front board. Spine a trifle darkened, rear board with some minor marks. Internally very good. Very good overall. Item #22154
Sold