CIVIL WAR DIARIES OF BENJAMIN F. HARRINGTON, 4TH IOWA CAVALRY FROM THE GREENE MUSEUM.

These three diaries cover Harrington’s military career day by day from August 5th, 1862 to December 31st, 1863 and from March 16th, 1865 to August 24th, 1865 and a few events after his service. Benjamin is a great diarist, writing long daily accounts with good detail and he notes in his last diary that he has been unfortunate in his efforts to write his journal as one was lost near Jackson MS and the one written between July 1st, 1864 to date of his last diary was stolen by a thief. The 1st diary has 115 pages written starting at the actions near Memphis and Helena AK. Harrington has good details about actions and movements, the 2nd diary which continues from the 1st begins “continuation of the story of my life as a soldier, this is for reference (should I live) if I should die while in the army I wish this sent to my parents.” This book which starts April 30th, 1863 has good detail, abiding in Mississippi and Louisiana. December 31st Harrington sees that he is fighting for a just cause and is winning. “Our nation by gods help is fast emerging from dark recesses and gloom to the light that is destined for a free nation. The down trod ten million are becoming men. We are fast learning to know that the black man has rights and men are becoming willing that he should enjoy them.” Diary 3 begins in Waterloo TN and tells of the fighting and movement through Alabama into Georgia. He describes McCook’s raid through April in Georgia and the capture and destruction of Columbus and West point GA even though Lee had surrendered. On April 24th Harrington along with his unit finally hears of Lee’s surrender 2 weeks earlier and he also hears of a rumor that Lincoln was assassinated. He states “Rumor has told another lie” news was not traveling quickly in the rural Georgia. Harrington describes abandoned confederate camps and political events while in camp for next several months while garrisoning in south central Georgia. On July 4th he mentions a soldier in his unit was presented the “medal of honor” for capturing a flag at Columbus Georgia. Harrington states that “Bate found it in a house after the fight was over when he was looking for something to steal.” August 20th 1865 is the last entry while still in the south, his unit is boarding box cars (without seats) for Chattanooga later to Louisville. The fighting did not end in the south, several of the men got drunk and were fighting and attacked a few Negros that were on the train and one of them hit Isaac Board on the head with a link used to connect the cars and “we thought he was killed but has since recovered.” Also included with these 3 diaries is an apparent captured confederate diary used mostly as an expense book but does have last will for a Colonel Bowers, Desoto Mississippi. SIZE: 1) 6″ h x 4″ l 2) 5″ h x 3″ l 3) 6-1/2″ h x 4″ l. PROVENANCE: From the Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: All relatively good overall, with typical staining, soiling, loose pages and cracked bindings. 9-28033-1 (2,000-3,000) – Lot 1385

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1385	$4,322.50	CIVIL WAR DIARIES OF BENJAMIN F. HARRINGTON, 4TH IOWA CAVALRY FROM THE GREENE MUSEUM. These three diaries cover Harrington’s military career day by day from August 5th, 1862 to December 31st, 1863 and from March 16th, 1865 to August 24th, 1865 and a few events after his service. Benjamin is a great diarist, writing long daily accounts with good detail and he notes in his last diary that he has been unfortunate in his efforts to write his journal as one was lost near Jackson MS and the one written between July 1st, 1864 to date of his last diary was stolen by a thief. The 1st diary has 115 pages written starting at the actions near Memphis and Helena AK. Harrington has good details about actions and movements, the 2nd diary which continues from the 1st begins “continuation of the story of my life as a soldier, this is for reference (should I live) if I should die while in the army I wish this sent to my parents.” This book which starts April 30th, 1863 has good detail, abiding in Mississippi and Louisiana. December 31st Harrington sees that he is fighting for a just cause and is winning. “Our nation by gods help is fast emerging from dark recesses and gloom to the light that is destined for a free nation. The down trod ten million are becoming men. We are fast learning to know that the black man has rights and men are becoming willing that he should enjoy them.” Diary 3 begins in Waterloo TN and tells of the fighting and movement through Alabama into Georgia. He describes McCook’s raid through April in Georgia and the capture and destruction of Columbus and West point GA even though Lee had surrendered. On April 24th Harrington along with his unit finally hears of Lee’s surrender 2 weeks earlier and he also hears of a rumor that Lincoln was assassinated. He states “Rumor has told another lie” news was not traveling quickly in the rural Georgia. Harrington describes abandoned confederate camps and political events while in camp for next several months while garrisoning in south central Georgia. On July 4th he mentions a soldier in his unit was presented the “medal of honor” for capturing a flag at Columbus Georgia. Harrington states that “Bate found it in a house after the fight was over when he was looking for something to steal.” August 20th 1865 is the last entry while still in the south, his unit is boarding box cars (without seats) for Chattanooga later to Louisville. The fighting did not end in the south, several of the men got drunk and were fighting and attacked a few Negros that were on the train and one of them hit Isaac Board on the head with a link used to connect the cars and “we thought he was killed but has since recovered.” Also included with these 3 diaries is an apparent captured confederate diary used mostly as an expense book but does have last will for a Colonel Bowers, Desoto Mississippi. SIZE: 1) 6″ h x 4″ l 2) 5″ h x 3″ l 3) 6-1/2″ h x 4″ l. PROVENANCE: From the Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: All relatively good overall, with typical staining, soiling, loose pages and cracked bindings. 9-28033-1 (2,000-3,000) – Lot 1385 Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

CIVIL WAR DIARIES OF BENJAMIN F. HARRINGTON, 4TH IOWA CAVALRY FROM THE GREENE MUSEUM.