Autograph soldier's diary. 1865. Approx. 244 pages with writing. 32mo. Original leatherette with flap closure. Front interior cover inscribed in a later hand: "Benjamin J. French / Hornles? Struscof / Boston, Mass." 

WITH manuscript postal note reading: "Soldier's package: C.T. Canfield Chaplain 36 Mass. Vols / Ms. Bela Tiffany Esq Blandford Mass. / Due 30." 

The soldier who wrote this diary was stationed in Washington, D.C. when President Lincoln was assassinated. On April 15th, he expressed the widespread despair: "Our beloved President died at 22 minutes past 7 oc A.M. Murdered by Booth in Ford Theater last night. It casts a terrible gloom over the Nation."

Days later, he was able to visit the President while Lincoln was lying in state: "Saw the President laying in State after getting through the crowd." And the next day, he witnessed the funeral procession, notably commenting on the diversity of the crowds: "To day I witnessed the procession and escort of the President's Funeral pass the it was a great sight was 1 1/2 hours in passing. The Colored People were well represented." 

The author may be Chaplain Charles T. Canfield, who enlisted on 28 August 1862 with the 36th Massachusetts Infantry. Records, however, indicate that he resigned his commission on 23 October 1863. The diary's author states that he was transferred to a Veteran Reserve Corps unit on 11 May 1865. Records on Canfield may be missing, or he may have sent it on behalf of another soldier. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation]