[Civil War; Minnesota].

Minnesota Civil War Veteran's copy of 'Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars 1861 - 1865' Vol. I [with] pension application forms.

St. Paul, Minnesota: Pioneer Press, 1890. Hardcover. John L. Scoville's personal copy, with name and inscription, "J. L. Scovill (sic) Co. E 10th Reg, Minnesota Vol, In" and an address "850 North 7th St, Grants Pass Ore" at the front of the book. Scoville (1848 - 1917) was only 14 when he enlisted in 1862 in the Union Army; he has also made a mark at his name in the roster of Company E, tenth regiment (p480) and signed his name to the right, where he is listed as "musician".

This book includes an account of the largest mass execution in US history, the horrific hanging of 38 Sioux prisoners at Mankato Minn., to which 14 year old Scoville was very likely an eye witness as a member of the 10th Regiment. The execution was ordered in reprisal for the killing of white settlers in the Santee Sioux uprising. 303 were initially sentenced to death; President Lincoln was able to commute the sentences of all but 38.

The account of the execution is included in the section entitled "Narrative of the Tenth Regiment". It reads "... ... Surgeons Sheardown and Clark of the Tenth examined the bodies to see that life was extinct. Companies A, B, F, G, H and K took part in this extraordinary event, while all the field and staff of the regiment were present." (pp456-7).

[with] Civil War service related claims documents including: blank printed 'Claim for Pension Form (Act of May 11, 1912 and an envelope addressed to Scoville in his handwriting), from the National Tribune Washington DC, and a cover letter. In addition there is a pamphlet titled "Soldiers' and Sailors' Homestead Rights" by the Dept. of the Interior, General Land Office, dated October 11, 1910, and a pre addressed envelope to R. W. Shoppell & Co., Attorneys, Washington DC. 4to, xii, 844pp. Three quarter brown leather and marbled boards. Spine leather lacking, boards rubbed; binding loose but holding. Good. Item #23113

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