Rare - Definitive Civil War Work

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The Boys of ’61:

Four Years of Fighting

Personal Observation with the Army and Navy

From the First Battle of Bull Run to the Fall of Richmond

by

Charles Charleton Coffin

Illustrated

1^st Edition

Published in 1881

Rare and Distinctive Fully Illustrated Color Cover Boards

Numerous Illustrations Throughout

Contains Numerous Maps

A Significant Work 

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This auction is for an original 1st EDITION of ”A THE BOYS OF ’61.”

Published in 1881 in Boston by Estes and Lauriat 

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From the Book’s Prefatory Note:

This volume, though historic, is not a history of the Rebellion, but a record of personal observations and experiences during the war, with an occasional look at affairs in general to give clearness to the narrative.  The time has not arrived for writing an impartial history of the conflict between Slavery and Freedom in the United States.  Reports of military operations are incomplete; document in the archives at Washington are inaccessible; much material remains to be gathered before the patient historian can sift the wheat from the chaff.  More than this, the war of ideas is not yet ended.  Defeated Rebels in some part of the South are bent on exterminating the African race.  Few of those lately in rebellion plead guilty of having committed a crime; taking up arms against the government they consider to have been a blunder only.  We are, therefore too near the great events to render proper judgment upon questions in which our principles and sympathies have been enlisted.  The chapter concerning the Confederate Cotton Loan my seem to be out of place in a volume of which so large a portion is given to narrative, but I trust that it will be accepted in general reader, inasmuch as it reveals the efforts of the Rebels to array all Europe against the Unites States in the late struggle.  The correspondence in my possession was picked up in the streets of Richmond, and will be of value to the future historian.  The chapter in question is but an outline of the operations of the Confederates abroad…. 

The four year have been worth a century of ordinary life; for in the mighty contest Right has triumphed over Wrong, and the human race, with a clearer perception of Truth and Justice as the sure foundation of government, is moving on to a higher civilization.

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Contents Include Chapters On:

Beginning of the Conflict

Around Washington

Bull Run

The Fall of 1861

Affairs in the West

Central Kentucky

The Opening of the Campaign in Tennessee

Pittsburg Landing, Fort Pillow, and Memphis

Invasion of Maryland

Invasion of Kentucky

From Harper’s Ferry to Fredericksburg

Battle of Fredericksburg

The Winter at Falmouth

Chancellorsville

Cavalry Operations

The Atlantic Coast

The Iron-Clads in Action

The Invasion of Pennsylvania

The Battle of Gettysburg

From the Rapidan to Cold Harbor

To Petersburg

Siege Operations

Third Invasion of Maryland

Sherman’s Army

Christianity and Barbarism

Scenes in Savannah

Sherman in South Carolina

South Carolina Before the War

Sumter

Charleston

The Last Campaign

Richmond

The Confederate Loan

Surrender of Lee

Conclusion

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Book Condition:

This scarce antiquarian book provides wonderful text about the complete history of the civil war.  There are 34 chapters and 85 illustrations in the form of etchings, maps and notices (e.g., a handbill advertising the sale of field negroes).  The book has a numerous wonderful illustrations throughout.  The front cover and spine are wonderfuly decorated with tooled impressions, wonderful gilding and black and gold coloring to present a truly fantastic cover design.  The interior has attractive illustrations in bright blue ink on the front and rear inside covers which are clear, clean, intact and in great shape.  Despite being over 127 years old, the cover remains bright, clean and colorful.  The book is in good/fair condition.  The binding is holding, but rear hingle is pulling away with cloth showing and the front hinge is loose.  The cover is very edge worn with cloth showing on the seams.  The interior is aged, but clean  with three loose pages and one torn page, but otherwise seems ok.  The book measures 8-7/8" x 6-1/4" x 2" and contains 559 pages.  A detailed internet search revealed only three exist worldwide.  This is a real antique collectible that is packed with great history and wonderful illustrations and is both informative and entertaining.

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GET THIS UNIQUE, RARE COLOR COVER VERSION WHILE YOU CAN!.

A Rare Civil War History from the Period!

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