[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.
Manuscript in Harlan Page Lloyd's hand, an account of his Civil War service from 7 February 1864 through 19 June 1865, appearing to have been drawn from a war-date diary or journal. Pages numbered 1-49, with pages 10, 23-24 missing, and the inclusion of page 19a. Pencil marks seem to indicate edits were made to manuscripts by Lloyd at a later date. Each page on lined paper with "Queen City" stationery imprint. Page 49 inscribed on verso with pencil notation "Letters written by Major Harlan Page Lloyd during Civil War." Provenance: Notation within the papers indicates that the documents likely descended through the family by way of Lloyd's nephew, Ransom Lloyd Richardson (1873-1959).
Lloyd's recollections of his service begin as he is serving with the NY 22nd Cavalry which is preparing to embark upon the Overland Campaign in 1864. Sample entries include: "Fredericksburg, May 16...Thursday was the hardest day of the battle. The cannonading was said to be the most terrific ever known in the army of the Potomac, it was fearfully grand. The fighting was terrible, but favorable for us in the result; 10,000 prisoners & 42 pieces of artillery were captured. I saw the prisoners as they were marched thru Fredericksburg on their way to Belle Plain. Gen. Johnson, Gen. Stuart & another whose name I cannot remember were among the number, & they were sadly crestfallen." He writes then in detail about the Battle of Wilderness and its aftermath, including description of a trip behind enemy lines and eluding a force of 150 rebels. Similar descriptions of cavalry action continue through the recollections. He details the March 1865 Battle of Waynesboro, including a mention of Custer: "Gen. Custer was with us, his gay banners streaming to the wind, his bugle sounding the charge, & his bold, daring spirit animating the whole command." Though HDS does not record Lloyd's commissioning to major, his recollections record the event occurring on 22 April 1865. The journal entries end with Lloyd at Winchester, mustering out those whose term of service has ended.
Harlan Page Lloyd began his military career as a private in the 24th New York Light Artillery on August 30, 1862. Military life suited him well and he rose through the ranks to sergeant in November 1862, 1st sergeant in January 1863, and was discharged for a promotion to 1st lieutenant of the 22nd New York Cavalry in February 1864. With the 22nd, he fought hard with his men at Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor, and earned a promotion to captain in December 1864. While campaigning with Sheridan and acting as an aide to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign, he was wounded in the lung. Determined to finish his service towards the end of the war, he continued to fight until he mustered out with his men at Winchester, VA on August 1, 1865. After the war, he formed a legal practice in Cincinnati and had a partnership "Lloyd & Taft" with soon-to-be President William H. Taft.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/f6156a60-bbf6-4235-b12a-32d752500e8b?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/fb05cccf-eab5-490e-980b-9ec7e21785ec?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/c4047383-9856-48b7-94d3-5b8f10c66ff7?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/ed28a34f-31ba-4696-8df5-029985809ec7?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/2ab0c852-47cd-449e-a7ea-43594e910cd7?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/36b09b55-40f6-4335-8998-721898a1913b?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/96642a1d-1247-4c4b-8bfa-6fc7eda2ae7b?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/db3c4ffa-7797-424e-b38b-76bc79efc7f6?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)
![[CIVIL WAR - CUSTER, George A.]. Manuscript documenting the wartime experiences of Major Harlan Page Lloyd, 22nd New York Cavalry and 24th New York Light Artillery, aid to Custer during the Shenandoah Campaign.](https://assets.basta.app/accounts/4832eb18-f9a7-4c12-8295-871abe232696/images/dc846c9a-5298-4cbf-bb99-e2c38ed96385?format=auto&width=1080&quality=75)