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REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR John B Gordon 1903 1st Edition Scribner
Hardcover,474 pages; by General John B. Gordon. Copyright 1903 Charles Scribner's Sons.
The inside from cover has the writing of a former owner of the book, Jas. W. Pegram, Octo 29th 1903.
James West Pegram was born in Sussex County, Virginia 1843. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) in February 1860, later leaving in 1861 to serve in the Confederate States Navy through the American Civil War. He was the son of prominent Confederate Navy Commander Robert Baker Pegram (which explains how he got into the Navy) and was first cousins with the army brothers, General John Pegram and Colonel Willie Pegram.
The Confederate States Navy (CSN) was quite small compared to the army. He d. 1905, buried in Hollywood cemetery in Richmond, VA.
This book came from an estate sale in the central VA area.
Also, the Library of Virginia's Confederate Navy Records detail his service. His signature carries high historical premium because Confederate naval items are significantly rarer than Confederate army items. The Navy was a tiny fraction of the size of the land forces. Surviving signatures from this microscopic branch of service are exceptionally rare compared to regular Confederate Army signatures.
Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1903. Published October 1903. Please note that the title page says 1903, making it a first edition (later editions had 1904 on the title page, but 1903 on the copyright page).
Because of his Confederate ties, Pegram (or his family) probably made it a point to acquire the 1903 first printing, the book being printed in his then home city, Richmond. There were only roughly 100 to 140 midshipmen who ever served in the entire Confederate States Navy (many training aboard the school ship CSS Patrick Henry).
The book is a classic first-person military memoir. Written by Lieutenant-General John B. Gordon near the end of his life, it details his service from captain to general, fighting from Manassas to the Wilderness.
The covers have some wear / stains / tear along the edges. Pages look good. Gilt edged pages at the top. Sold as found.
Please view the photos as they are part of the description.
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