American Historical Ephemera & Photography, including African Americana

KIREKER, LT. COL. Charles. History of the 116th Regiment U.S.C. Infantry: From Its Organization in the Early Part of the Spring and Summer of 1864, to the Present Time, Giving a list of Names of all Officers and Enlisted Men Who Have Ever Belonged to the Regiment.... Philadelphia: King & Baird, Printers, No. 607 Sansom St., 1866. Pictorial cloth boards with red string adhered into spine. Preface signed in type "John A. Balch & Co., Publishers," xi-xii, 13-131pp, with 1 folded color frontispiece featuring an image of Abraham Lincoln and the American flag. Approx. 4 x 6 1/4 in. Inscribed multiple times "George Lewis" and "Georgetown, KY."

The 116th USCT was organized at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, from 6 June through 12 July 1864. HDS indicates that George Lewis enlisted as a private on 20 June 1864 at Lexington, KY, and mustered into Co. A, United States Colored Troops 116th Infantry (though the regimental history indicates an enlistment date of 4 June). From July through September of that year, the regiment was attached to the Military District of Kentucky, Department of the Ohio. It then joined the Army of the James in October 1864, participating in the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond as well as multiple other engagements culminating with the pursuit of Lee and his surrender at Appomattox Court House. Approximately six weeks after Lee's surrender, the 116th was transported to Texas as part of Sheridan's army of occupation, and finally to New Orleans where it remained until January 1867. The regiment was mustered out in Louisville, KY, on 17 January 1867.

The US Federal Census of 1870 locates a 35-year-old Black male named George Lewis, occupation "Farm Laborer," living in Georgetown, Kentucky, with an inferred spouse Kate Lewis. The 1880 Census locates this same couple living in Georgetown with four children. The 1900 Census finds George and "Katie" Lewis still residing in Georgetown, with George now working as a "Porter," and indicates a marriage year of 1869.

Book is heavily worn with separation at spine, several loose pages, wear to corners, toning and scattered spotting throughout pages, and scattered pencil marks. Loss to frontispiece. Wear consistent with regular use, perhaps by Lewis who may have carried this "pocket-sized" book during the latter portion of his military service.

Scarce. We locate only one copy of this book previously selling at auction, Swann Galleries, 1999. OCLC locates one print copy held at the American Antiquarian Society.