Adventures of a Pioneer Boy, While a Prisoner of War, written by Alvan Q. Bacon (Co. I, 14th Illinois Infantry), published for the benefit of his father, ca. 1865. 32-page original thread-bound paper pamphlet complete with original wrappers. 

Rare, highly desirable Civil War prisoner of war narrative pamphlet detailing the wartime capture, imprisonment, and escape of Sergeant Alvan Q. Bacon, Co. I, 14th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Printed on the cover is a woodcut portrait of Bacon in uniform alongside the subtitle: "His capture at the Battle of Shiloh and escape from Macon, Ga., going sixty miles in canoes by night, got to a Union gunboat, and sailed by ocean to New York. Written by himself. Sold for the Benefit of his Father, who is nearly Blind. Price, 15 Cents."

Bacon enlisted in May 1861 with Company I of the 14th Illinois. Captured at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, he endured months in Confederate prison camps before orchestrating a dramatic escape from Macon, Georgia, navigating riverways in canoes to reach a Union blockading gunboat. After returning to his regiment, Bacon participated in the Siege of Vicksburg, where he was killed in action on June 22, 1863, during a night picket engagement before reaching the age of twenty-one. His narrative was subsequently published post-humously by his family to support his visually impaired father.

Exceedingly scarce. We are not aware of additional copies outside of a handful of institutions. 

The paper exhibits expected period foxing, toning, light edge fraying, and minor corner creasing, but remains structurally sound, complete, and fully legible.