"Battery and Entrenchment" Notebook Identified to George Davies, Possibly of the 34th Pennsylvania Infantry
"Battery and Entrenchment" 23-page notebook identified to George Davis, possibly of the 34th Pennsylvania Infantry. The 6 5/8” by 4” notebook, leather over boards with working metal clasp, post-war typed title "CIVIL WAR / Battery and Entrenchment / book" on paper adhered to front cover, Interior front cover with two identifications, "G. Davies" and "George Davies." Detailed sketches in the notebook include: "Plan of a Battery for 3 Guns and 2 Motors," "Telegraph," and "Section of the Blinded Gallery / Descent of the Blinded Gallery into the Main Ditch."
There are a total of five soldiers named George Davies. Though this notebook does not bear any specific regimental identifications, it may have belonged to George Davies (1836-1894), 34th Pennsylvania Infantry, part of the “Pennsylvania Emergency Volunteers.” According to A History of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania (1914), prior to the war Davies had worked at the trade of moulder and as a machinist, and by the outbreak of hostilities was employed as Master Mechanic at Parryville, Pennsylvania. As Confederate troops moved into Maryland and Pennsylvania and converged on Gettysburg, calls were made for able-bodied men not already enlisted to form additional home guard regiments for 3 months service. Heading this call Davies joined the 34th Pennsylvania Infantry militia, enlisting on June 30, 1863 as a sergeant and mustering into Co. F under the command of his brother-in-law and future business partner, Captain James Thomas. He mustered out on August 24, 1863.
In addition to the sketches, the notebook contains explanatory notes of a military nature: how to construct a rectangular field powder magazine; how to use a telegraph and what each position of its arms signifies, both for numbers and letters; how to create a blinded gallery, with details of the men, tools, and materials required; discussion of pontooning; and tinctures and remedies for horses. As a Master Mechanic with experience at various iron works, Davies possessed extensive knowledge of the iron-making business and broad technical expertise. Given the fact that he was called into service on short notice and with little training, it is quite plausible that a man of his experience kept this technical notebook while serving with his regiment in an effort to prepare for the ways in which his skills might be utilized.
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Inventory Number: HS 126