History of Company B, (Originally Pickens Planters) 40th Alabama Regiment, Confederate States Army 1862 to 1865
Anniston, AL: Norwood, 1902. Hard Cover. Good binding. Item #10674
Octavo. [2], 89. [1] pp. First edition. In original cloth with title in gilt on the front cover. Binding is worn at the head of the spine with small loss to cloth; likewise, the bottom corner of the front board is worn; binding is generally darkened and somewhat soiled; a solid copy with light to moderate foxing/toning to the contents. Despite its faults, this is a better copy than one usually sees. Laid in is a tattered reproduction of: "Pages from History & The Men from Pickens County Who Wore the Gray" compiled by Mrs. T. R. Spell, Jr. with a short history of Pickens County, veterans in attendance at past U.C.V. events, the roll of Company B and a list of those killed and wounded from J. H. Pepper's diary about the Battle of Vicksburg
The diary was largely taken directly from Captain Elbert D. Willett's daybook while in the war. His son, Joseph Jackson Willett edited this book and remarks on its merits in a short preface: "It is not expected or contended [this book] will shed any additional light on that momentous struggle, known as the War between the States, about which so many volumes have been written . . . . [but] that diary (now well thumb worn) which faithfully records the movements, engagements and casualties of Company B, and the 40th Alabama Regiment, C.S.A. [Willett's notes] have the advantage, however of being written at the same time, yes, on the same day the narrated facts occurred. No matter how long the march, or how fierce the battle the author of the diary on each day recorded the doings of Company B." An interesting, contemporary account which given the immediacy with which events were recorded probably does "shed additional light" contrary to J. J. Willett's suggestion to the contrary. The final 5 pages are taken from the diary of J. H. Curry. Additionally, several pages of rosters are included. Rare in commerce. Howes W-437 "aa"; Dornbusch II, AL-76; Wright W-685.
Price: $1,750.00