American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana & Historical Documents

Remarkable archive containing not only war-date documentation of Humphrey's imprisonment and subsequent service in the form of 2 thorough diaries; official promotion, commission, and discharge paperwork; and letters from patriotic family members who were closely following Humphrey's wartime movements; but also a wealth of post-war records, artifacts, and print matter narrating Humphrey's legacy as a publicly honored survivor of Andersonville prison and an active veteran. Provenance: Collection discovered in a donation to an elderly care facility in Denver, CO by a worker and sold to a Civil War collector in North Carolina, thence to consignor (signed letter from previous owner, dated 2016).

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Approx. 2 ¾ x 5 ¾ leather calendar diary for the year 1864, with entries written for most dates (nearly 365), along with additional handwritten dates and entries for January and February of 1865, and a 9-page list of names of men from his regiment who died at Andersonville. (Soiling and discoloration to page edges, some sections separated from binding.) Original leather covers and string closure (wear to leather surfaces with some separation to back cover, soiling throughout). Front free endpaper with identification, "Sergt. Chas. Humphrey, Co. B 85th N.Y. Vol., Plymouth, N. Carolina, Dec 21st 1863." -- 3 ¾ x 5 ¾ in. calendar diary for the year 1865, with entries written for most dates (over 300) and with additional hand-dated entries for the month of January 1866. (Light staining to some pages, many page sections nearly fully separated from binding.) Missing wrappers (some string and glue binding remnants present, significant separation and loss). -- Together, 2 diaries.   

HUMPHREY, Correll M. Autograph letter signed (“Correll”). Springwater, 13 October 1861. 3pp. With printed envelope addressed to Charles in Lima, NY. Correll writes to his brother, “I suppose you have heard that the people of Springwater grew quite patriotic after you left. Capt. Day got up his company and they organized by electing him captain and Henry Wiley 1st lieutenant.” --HUMPHREY, Nancy “Euphrasia” Autograph letter signed (“Euphrasia H. Barry”). “Holly, Hope Cottage” [MI], 30 December 1861. 4pp. With cover addressed to Charles in Washington, DC. Euphrasia asks her brother several questions about his well being, and expresses her pride in his service, writing, “So you are an officer in the Grand Army of the United States. That is something isn’t it? Mr. Young has just enlisted. David says if we have war with England he shall go anyhow. But I hope we may not, although I do not want our government to make any concession. As for those traitors, I think it is to mean, to make such a fuss about the miserable scamps.” -- HUMPHREY, Harvey Douglas. Autograph letter signed (“H.D. Humphrey”). “Springwater, Liv Co” NY 18-19 Feb 1862. 4pp. Harvey expresses his views on the war and slavery, and rejoices over recent Union victories: “When I reflect on the fact of the rebels throttleing & trying to destroy the best government on earth and all to perpetrate the accursed institution of slavery, that ‘sum of all vilainies’ I confess that it stirs a feaver in the blood of age: & makes the sinews strong as steel for the strife.” “We were all verry (sic) jubilant over the news we got yesterday – viz: the Capture of fort Donelson with a good haul of officers & men. The taking of fort Henry was a briliant (sic) affair & also the taking of Roanoak (sic) Island.” -- HUMPHREY, Harvey Douglas. Autograph letter signed (“H.D.H.”). “Springwater, Liv Co,” NY, 6 April 1862. 4pp. On patriotic illustrated letterhead, with patriotic cover addressed to Charles in Washington, DC.  -- HUMPHREY, Correll M. Autograph letter signed (“C.M. Humphrey”). 9-11 April 1862. 4pp. With cover addressed to Charles at Elmira, NY, Barracks No. 2. Correll talks of the war: “...I hope this infernal rebellion will be crushed in a few months and that we shall see you back again safe and sound. We have just heard of an awful battle in the south western part of Tennessee near Corinth and the account of the killed and wounded on both sides is between 50,000 and 60,000 perfectly awful to think of but the loss may not be so great.” -- HUMPHREY, Correll M. Autograph letter signed (“C.M. Humphrey”). Springwater, 15 June 1865. 2pp. With cover addressed to Charles at Newbern, NC. Correll tells Charles that other soldiers are beginning to come home, writing, “I see in the Tribune that the Secty of war has ordered that all those who were prisoners at the south should be discharged with three months extra pay so I expect we shall see you at home before long.” -- BROWN, J. Albert. Autograph letter signed (“J.A. Brown”). Carthage, NY, 3 September 1865. 2pp. With envelope addressed to Charles at Springwater, NY. Brown, a captain of the 85th NY, writes: “Well Charlie, how do you think your Rebel Commander Wertz (sic) feels about this time? Don’t you think he regrets treating Yankeys (sic) with the cruelty he did? Poor Devil. I think he must swing for it. I wish he and all concerned with him could be turned over to the tender mercies of some of you fellows who have experienced his hospitality...When you look back on the time spent in prison doe sit not seem more like a dream than a reality?” -- Together, 7 letters written to Charles H. Humphrey.

Partly printed appointment for Charles Humphrey as quartermaster sergeant of the 85th New York Volunteer Infantry to rank from 1 March 1865, accomplished in manuscript. Mosely Hall, NC, 28 May 1865. Signed by Captain J.A. Brown and First Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant Martin Link. -- Partly printed re-enlistment certificate for Charles Humphrey as a veteran volunteer, mustering into service on 1 January 1864, accomplished in manuscript. N.p., n.d.-- Manuscript appointment for Charles Humphrey as quartermaster sergeant. Mosely Hall, NC, 28 May 1865. Signed by Martin Link. -- Manuscript promotion for Charles Humphrey to first corporal of Company B, 85th New York Volunteer Infantry. Newport News, VA, 1 September 1862. Signed by William W. Clarke as Captain. -- Partly printed discharge document for Charles Humphrey, accomplished in manuscript. Plymouth, NC, 31 December 1863. Humphrey is discharged from service by reason of re-enlistment as a Veteran Volunteer. Signed by 3 officers including first lieutenant N.S. Barstow, Colonel C. Fordella, and Captain O.S. Aldrich. Paymaster’s note written over upper left portion of document. -- Partly printed discharge document for Charles Humphrey, accomplished in manuscript. New Berne, NC, 27 June 1865. Humphrey is discharged from service by reason of being mustered out in accordance with General Orders No. 88. -- Together, 6 official war-date documents related to Charles Humphrey’s Civil War career.

[With:] 2 ¼ x 4 in. CDV on cardstock mount (toning, surface soil, some clipping to mount edges and corners). Dansville, NY: Betts, n.d. Verso bears Betts’s studio imprint and blue ink identification. Vignetted bust portrait of Charles H. Humphrey with full mustache and mutton chops.

[With:] National Society of Andersonville Survivors’ 2-tier metal and celluloid badge with ribbon (likely replacement hanging chain, fraying to bottom of ribbon, light wear and spotting throughout). Newark, NJ: Whitehead & Hoag Co., 1864-1865. Maker’s imprint on verso. Gilt text on tri-color ribbon dates the badge and designates the wearer as a “Member.” Hanging medallion features an illustration of two Union prisoners being visited by an angel, with words “Hope” and “Despair” to either side.  Badge housed in unmarked period cardboard box. -- 2-tier Andersonville Prison Survivor's badge from the dedication of the New York State Monument at Andersonville with ribbons (some fraying to ribbons, light chipping to medallion). Ca 1914. Back ribbon with Humphrey's company and regiment above an illustrated GAR badge, with "Andersonville, 1864-1914" below. Top bar with war motifs and "Survivor" designation flanked by dates 1864 and 1914. Hanging medallion features motifs from the monument on obverse, and a depiction of Andersonville Prison with "Death Before Dishonor" above and plaque presenting the badge to Humphrey below on reverse. Badge housed in original unmarked cardboard box. One of few we have seen with survivor's name engraved on reverse. -- 3-tier Guest's badge from the dedication of the New York State Monument at Andersonville with tri-color ribbons (excellent condition, very minor fraying to ribbons). [New York: J.F. Newman], ca 1914. Top bar depicts the monument flanked by dates 1864 and 1914, hanging bar designates the wearer a "Guest," and medallion illustrates one of the central plaques from the monument on obverse and New York state seal on obverse with text below reading, "To Commemorate the Dedication of the Monument to the New York State Soldiers Who Died in Andersonville Prison During the Civil War." Housed in original period J.F. Newman cardboard box. -- And metal "GAR" wreath insignia pin. -- Together, 4 pinback badges and insignia.

[With:] Andersonville Monument Dedication Commission State of New York Tour to Richmond, Danville, Salisbury, Andersonville, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, April 26 to May 1, 1914. [Pennsylvania], ca 1914. Program contains an itinerary of the 6-day tour arranged by the Pennsylvania Railroad. -- Application for Membership in the National Society of Andersonville Survivors. N.p., n.d. Partly printed application signed by Charles Humphrey, with his date and place of capture, arrival, and release from Andersonville accomplished in manuscript. -- Survivors of the 85th N.Y., who were held in Rebel prisons from April 25th, 1864, to April, 1865. Portville, NY, n.d. Printed list of survivors with hand-written edits and corrections throughout. -- Personal Experiences and Reminiscences by Robert B. McCully, Four Years a Drummer Boy in the Civil War, Seven months in Andersonville and Florence Stockade Prisons. Member of Co’s F and B 81st Regiment, New York Veteran Volunteers. Pamphlet features printed images of Robert B. McCully and illustrated map of Andersonville Prison, with labelled sections corresponding with printed key. Lyrics to America and the Star-Spangled Banner on back page. -- Dedication of Monument Erected by the State of New York at Andersonville, Georgia. Albany, NY: J.B. Lyon Company, Printers, 1916. 4to, original cloth. --  And 11 other printed materials, including literature from the 1914 dedication of the New York State Monument at Andersonville. -- Together, 17 items related to the imprisonment of New York soldiers at Andersonville Prison.
 
[Also with:] Roster of Doty Post No. 226, Department of New York, G.A.R. Hornellsville, NY. Ca 1906. Fold-out pamphlet with full roster of “Comrades, 1906,” including Charles Humphrey. -- Partly printed certificate accomplished in manuscript. Dansville, 24 November 1886. Document grants Charles Humphrey a “Transfer Card,” recommending him for admission into any GAR post of the order. -- Assault and Capture of Lookout Mountain “The Battle Above the Clouds.” Chattanooga, TN: MacGowan-Cooke Printing Co., n.d. Pamphlet, printed wraps. -- Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic AND Rules of Order of the National Encampment. New York: Grand Army Gazette and National Guardsman Print, 1885. Pamphlet, printed wraps (surface soiling, wear to edges). -- And 12 other printed items, including Charles Humphrey’s marriage certificate and additional GAR materials. -- Together, 16 documents and pamphlets related to Charles Humphrey’s post-war participation in veterans’ organizations and personal life.

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Charles H. Humphrey (1839-1914) was born in Springwater, New York, to parents Ozias and Parnell Humphrey, the youngest of nine children. He enlisted as a corporal on 26 August 1861, and mustered into Company B, 85th New York Infantry Regiment the following month. Once his 3-years’ service was complete, he re-enlisted on 1 January 1864. 

When the 85th was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, XVIII Corps, it was ordered to Plymouth, NC, where, in April of 1864, it surrendered to Confederate troops. It was at Fort Williams near Plymouth that nearly the entire regiment was captured, eventually resulting in 222 regimental deaths while imprisoned. Humphrey's diary entries for 20 and 21 April record their capture: "Rebs made an attack on the Columbia road and got into the town at daylight. Ft Williams surrendered about 9 A.M. We were marched out as prisoners of war as far as the reserve picket post," and "...started on march for Rebeldom...Guarded by the 35th North Carolina."

Humphrey arrived at Andersonville on 30 April, and remained until 11 September, on which date he counted, “One hundred and thirty three and a half days in the pen” at Andersonville Prison. During that time, he watched many men of his regiment die of disease, keeping a list in the back of one diary, and noting in an entry dated 28 August 1864, “The No that have died in the regt now reaches 100.” Much of the death and disease was due to overcrowding, limited care for the sick, and unsanitary conditions. Humphrey comments on these conditions routinely, including regular counts of how many men are confined at the prison. On 9 June, Humphrey reports, “Weather showery. Rumors of exchange float again it cann’t commence to (sic) soon for there is nearly 20,000 men in the stockade.” Later that month, on 22 June, he writes, in part, "The stockade is so full that the reb sergnts can’t get around to Roll call." Humphrey also makes mention of the sick, many times noting that men were refused from the hospital and left to suffer in camp. His entry dated 6 August makes the point: "No sick taken out today."

Andersonville was also known for its brutality, in part due to the actions of the prison's notorious commander, Henry Wirz, who would be convicted of war crimes and publicly executed after the war. Humphrey makes several mentions of Wirz throughout his diary, writing on 28 July "George A. Phillips died in camp about 10 Oclock...Capt Worz (sic) threw a solid shot over the camp by way of warning." And the following day, "Some more prisoners came in from Atlanta...Capt Worz (sic) put up some flag’s (sic) near the center of the camp any croud (sic) between them and the gates will be fired into with Artilery (sic)." 

 

Humphrey was transferred from Andersonville to Charleston Confederate Prison in September, then to Florence about a month later, marching into the stockade on 7 October when he noted, "...looks some like Andersonville." After several additional months of confinement, Humphrey was finally paroled on 26 February 1865. In an entry for that date, he writes, “Arrived at our lines about 3 P.M. Hurrah, once more under the old flag.” After his return home in March, Humphrey writes of the kind of joyous family reunions and visits one might expect. Notably, in his entry for 15 April, he writes that he heard the news of the assassination of President Lincoln. After dutifully returning to his regiment in May, Humphrey resumed service until he was ultimately honorably discharged on 27 June 1865 at New Berne, NC. 

 

He went on to marry Miss Cornelia A. Rowley at Bannington, NY on 4 July 1868, and the two of them had three children together. Humphrey went to live with his son, Ray O. Humphrey, after his wife died, and he eventually passed away at a soldiers’ home in Bath, NY on 23 August 1914.