Identified Civil War Soldier’s Devotional “The Soldier’s Text-Book” – 1861 Carried by Pvt. James Deel, Co. D, 115th Illinois Infantry

Description

Identified Civil War Soldier’s Devotional

“The Soldier’s Text-Book” – 1861

Carried by Pvt. James Deel, Co. D, 115th Illinois Infantry

 

A scarce and touching Civil War pocket devotional titled The Soldier’s Text-Book: Or, Confidence in Time of War by Rev. J.R. Macduff, D.D., published in New York by Robert Carter & Brothers, 530 Broadway, 1861.

 

This compact soldier’s religious manual retains its original brown cloth binding with gilt title to the cover. The interior title page confirms the 1861 wartime publication.

 

The book is identified in period pencil to:

M. F. Serratte

June 25th, 1867

By my uncle

Jas. Deel, Co. D, 115th Ill. Vol.

 

Research notes indicate Pvt. James Deel served in Company D, 115th Illinois Infantry. He was reportedly detailed to carry Capt. Huckstep after the captain was wounded. Deel hurried back to his regiment but was captured en route and spent approximately 18 months as a prisoner, confined partly at Libby Prison and partly at Andersonville — two of the Confederacy’s most notorious prison camps.

 

A powerful survivor artifact linking faith, captivity, and endurance.

 

James A. Deal: Residence Bainbridge Ibi, Enlisted on 8/8/1862 as a Corporal. On 9/13/1862 he mustered into “D” Co. IL 115th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/1/1865. He was listed as: * POW. Promotions: 1st Sergt

Inventory Number: HIS 296