(CIVIL WAR MAINE) Hall George L Diary of a regimental band

Sale 2391 - Lot 102

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Estimate: $ 2,500 - $ 3,500

"THE FIELD OF BATTLE A HORRID SCENE' (CIVIL WAR--MAINE.) Hall, George L. Diary of a regimental band member at Malvern Hill and Second Bull Run. 257 manuscript diary pages plus 3 pages of memoranda. 16mo, original calf, minor wear; minor dampstaining, one leaf detached; signed twice on front free endpaper. Vp, 1 January to 14 September 1862

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George Loring Hall (1834-1911) of Nobleboro, ME enlisted as a musician in the 4th Maine Infantry. His diary describes his regiment's work on the Peninsula campaign through the spring and summer of 1862. In the wake of the Battle of Williamsburg, they were 'ordered to fall in early this morn and formed a battle line and started toward the rebels, but after proceeding to the opening in front of their works and charging on their ft., found they had evacuated. . . . I was ordered to search for wounded, found several. Assisted in getting five into the ambulances. The field of battle a horrid scene' (6 May). He was nearly captured at Malvern Hill: 'Here I and several members of the band came near being left asleep, not knowing when our folks withdrew. Were awakened by the Mozart [40th NY] surgeon. . . . The Rebels pursued and attacked us again and we were ordered to the front. They opened a brisk fire of artillery on us to which we replied promptly with telling effect' (1 July). Second Bull Run was a low point: 'There was skirmishing and changing of positions &c until about 4 o'clock when Rebels opened on our right wing and after fighting for about an hour our forces left the field and skedadled in a disgracefull manner toward Centerville. . . . We were completely whipped and routed today, a great disaster to us.' Hall was discharged in September because of a Congressional order disbanding the regimental bands, and his diary ends at this point. He later re-enlisted in another Maine regiment, became a Second Lieutenant, and survived the war. Returning to Nobleboro, he was a merchant, postmaster, and state legislator. More detailed notes on the contents are available upon request.