Civil War Diary, Joshua Chamberlain Funeral Bearer, Gettysburg, 20th Me, Bowdoin

  

EXTREMELY RARE, Museum Quality Antique Diary Written from 1914 - 1917 by a Student at Bowdoin College, WHO WAS ONE OF THE PALL BEARERS AT GENERAL JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN'S FUNERAL, the Famous Civil War General, Commander of the 20th Maine Infantry, one of the Heroes of the Battle of Gettysburg, and President of Bowdoin College After the Civil War. D ESCRIPTION: Scans show excerpts from the diary. It is a 5-year diary from 1892. However, it wasn't used until much later.

The first entry is from Jan. It covers the years of 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, with a paragraph for MOST OF THE DAYS during those years!! No name or identification that I can find. He was a student at Bowdoin College in Maine, where Chamberlain had served as a professor before enlisting in the Civil War. He was a freshman, and a member of the track and played a lot of basketball a very new sport at the time!

The most noteworthy thing is that he notes that he was one of the pall bearers for Gen. Chamberlain's funeral on Feb. 24 in Portland, aged 85, the last man to die of wounds received during the Civil War. The details of his wounds, suffering and many operations, etc. Over many, many years, represent quite a fascinating story.

He also received THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS ACTIONS ORDERING THE BAYONET CHARGE BY THE 20th MAINE ON LITTLE ROUND TOP DURING THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. The owner mentions a number of things regarding Chamberlain, like on Feb. 24, 1914, heard about Gen. Chamberlain's death; on Feb. 26, a meeting at noon to see about the funeral of Gen. 27, the funeral of Gen. I was one of the bearers.

As you can imagine, a great variety of other subjects covered. He was a student at Bowdoin and a member of the Alpha Delta Phi, and many references to that.

For example, in 1913 he mentions John D. Rockefeller and a paper he wrote about him; in 1914, he went to visit Uncle Milo's and found him dead...

Heart trouble"; "think this is now war with Mexico, Tampico affair"; in 1915, "women's suffrage debates"; in 1916, he "went to Boston to hear ex-Pres. Taft speak on enforcing peace"; in 1917, he "attended Socialist lecture"; "went to Bowdoin Club dinner at University club, author of Trenching at Gallipoli spoke; and many other subjects and activities, etc. Some of the other details of his personal life and activities frequent fights with his girl friend also interesting... "She slapt my face hard". Very nice and detailed diary. ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS YOU WILL FIND FOR A COLLECTION ON GETTYSBURG, THE 20TH MAINE, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, ETC. NOT ONLY IS THE FUNERAL MENTIONED, BUT THIS DIARY WAS OWNED BY AND DESCRIPTIONS BY ONE OF THE STUDENT PALL BEARERS FROM CHAMBERLAIN'S FUNERAL over 110 years ago!! YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A CHANCE FOR SOMETHING ELSE LIKE THIS, directly related to General Chamberlain, Gettysburg, the 20th Maine, and Bowdoin College!! Diary measures (6" x 3 1/2" x 1) Has a great appearance and well made. Contains 365 pages, and covers 5 years!! A great deal of interesting reading, and a. Unique piece for any related collection or collector!