American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

A preserved soldier's bible accompanied by a declaration signed by Dr. William F. Calhoun reading, "This Bible was picked up in front of Marie's Heights during the battle of Fredericksburg, Va. fought December, 13, 1862. The grime is the Fredericksburg soil which at the time was a skim of mud over frozen ground mixed with the blood of the killed and wounded and was deposited on the book by the feet of charging troops. It lay open as it now is." The note is written in ink and the signature of Calhoun in pencil. The bible itself has lost its jacket and the first 27 chapters of Genesis. Outer pages are stained with a layer of dirt deposited over them. Comes with one silver gelatin photograph of Calhoun in his GAR uniform, and a mounted silver gelatin portrait photograph of Calhoun in civilian dress many years after the war. Additionally comes with photocopies of Calhoun's muster rolls from his time with Company H of the 133d Pennsylvania Volunteers.

William F. Calhoun was 17 years old when he enlisted with the United States Army to fight in the Civil War, claiming upon his enlistment to be 21 years of age. He mustered into the 133rd Pennsylvania Infantry on August 13, 1862 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and remained with that unit through May 25, 1863 when he was mustered out as a Private. Formed the same month that Calhoun joined, the 133rd departed Harrisburg for Washington, D.C. on August 19, where it remained until September 2. At this time, it was dispatched to Rockville, Maryland, and attached to the 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade, 5th Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Calhoun remained with the unit when it fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and in General Ambrose Burnside's "Mud March" the following January. Honorably discharged with his company in May 25, 1863, Calhoun later enlisted with the 181st Pennsylvania volunteers, later known as the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He mustered in on February 19, 1864, and served with that unit through the Battles of New Market and Lynchburg through the Siege of Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign. He mustered out with Company K, July 13, 1865 at the rank of First Sergeant, having served in the war's final campaigns.

After the end of the Civil War, Calhoun studied dentistry, following that practice for more than twenty years before investing in the Newspaper business in Decatur, Illinois, where he served as the editor of the Decatur Herald. In 1869, he married Blanche Derthick, with whom he had five children. He served as Postmaster, was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, and commanded the Dunham Post of the G.A.R. after the war.

A grim battlefield souvenir collected by a soldier who fought in numerous engagements of the American Civil War.