Identified Portion of Gum Blanket Pvt. Benjamin Libby, 24th Maine Infantry

This is approximately half of a regulation gum blanket identified by a black ink stencil applied to the underside in one corner. "BENJ. LIBBY, / WARREN, Me. / Co. B. 24", Me. Reg't". Private Benjamin Libby resided in Warren ME; 21 years old. Enlisted on 10/13/1862 as a Private. On 10/13/1862 he mustered into "B" Co. He was Mustered Out on 8/25/1863 at Augusta, Maine. 
The 24th Maine was mustered into the U.S. service at Augusta, Oct. 16, 1862, to serve for nine months. On the 29th it left for New York and reported to Maj. Gen. Banks. The regiment was detained at East New York by sickness until Jan. 12, 1863, when it embarked for New Oricans, arriving there Feb. 14. On the 26th it was ordered to Bonnet Carre, 40 miles above New Orleans, and was there assigned to the 3d brigade, 2nd division, under command of Gen. Nickerson. 
While at this place details from the regiment were variously engaged in active duties at different times and places. On May 21, it was ordered to Port Hudson and participated in the entire siege of that stronghold, including the desperate assaults of May 27 and June 14, but suffered few casualties. 
The southern climate, however, worked havoc in their ranks, as they lost 184 men from disease and nearly 100 more were discharged for a disability. Of the 900 men who went out with the regiment, 570 returned. It left Port Hudson for Maine, via Caito, Ill., July 24, arrived at Augusta on Aug. 6, and was mustered out on the 25th of the same month, after a term of service of nearly one year. None was killed in battle or died of wounds.       
 
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Inventory Number: IDE 184