Page 47 - joa-march-23

by John Sexton

Q: Searching the internet and came across your website. orders all concerning Lincoln’s death and funeral
I am in hopes that you can help me with some including the three you have here. They sold for
documents I have. I have been buying Civil War $1600, which is about $150 each. A copy of GO 67
documents for many years. I have 2 that I have not sold 2017 at University Archives auction for $120.
found anything about in years of searching. One I have most general orders are bureaucratic in nature and
I did find a few years ago for sale for $2,500.00 at B generally have little value, not more than a few
& L Rootenberg. This was for General Orders # 67. All dollars a piece when sold in archives or bound
3 pertain to death/funeral of Lincoln. The other 2 are volumes. The few that are historically important
#69 and #72. I have a number of others but these 3, such as these bring premiums. Lincoln’s
I think maybe they are rare? Emancipation Proclamation, GO 139 from 1862
probably has the best premium bringing $500-1000
JS: General Orders (GO) from the Civil War are not in auction. Rare book dealers often offer similar at
rare. Is not uncommon to find bound volumes by multiples of value. Price is often arbitrary; value
years in archives of company and field grade officer’s must be qualified.
affects. Yours are a bit unusual being printed on Group of 11 military general orders announcing Lincoln’s death
larger paper than the approximate 7” by 5” used and funeral. Printed orders, each about 7 x 5 inches, each one or
by the military and are probably commemorative two pages; generally minor wear except as noted. Various places,
printings. In a recent auction at Swann’s, New York, 15 to 21 April 1865, sold by Swann Auctions on September 29,
September 2022, was sold a group of 11 general 2022 for $1,600 (not including buyer’s premium).

Q: I came across your website while doing some research on my civil war I find the most valuable diaries read like a novel. The reader wants to
diary. I would love if you can authenticate and possibly give me a value for see what happens the next day or next entry, great diaries you can’t put
my diary. From what I gather, the diary was written by Sgt. George White, down, whether written by a general or an enlisted man. Content in this
Ohio 96th Volunteer Infantry, Co F. There are writings in the diary about diary based on 10 pages read is good, better than average. Corporal
the battle of Vicksburg. Below are a few pictures, there are 49 pages. George White had service from mid 1862 till mid 1865 with 96th
Some pages, the written is faded and harder to read. I hope these pictures Ohio infantry. He may have written other diaries but these pages in
you can read. May & June 1863 give an interesting snippet of soldier life during the
I also have what I Vicksburg campaign. Though the covers are worn and scuffed and the
believe is a post civil war pages show water damage, the ink entries are quite legible and easy
flag that I believe you to read. This diary is typical of market and similar diaries with good
will enjoy seeing. It is in content are priced by dealers $1,500-$2,500.
pretty bad shape. It is Your flag is not post-war but a regulation U.S. National Colors. The
made of silk and was flag is all silk with painted stars. The 35-star flag was adopted July 4,
stuffed in a box. It is cur- 1863 with addition of West Virginia as 35th state. It would remain
rently at local museum
being conserved.

JS: This is a typical
4”x6” pocket diary of
the Civil War era. They
were very popular
among soldiers, North
& South. Civil War let-
ters are the most com-
mon personal items
surviving the war,
diaries are a close
second. The most valu-
able letter groups and
diaries are the ones that
have good content.
What is good content?

Typical Civil War-era diary, 4” x 6”, with example of content including” “Monday
18. General Grant has taken Jackson Misp. and is coming on to the rebels in the
rear of Vicksburg. … Thursday 21. Weather fine with refreshing rain in the
afternoon. Our troops are closing in on to Vicksburg. … Saturday 23. Most likely the flag of the “41st Regiment New York National Guard.”
The gun boats do some very heavy firing in the vicinity of Vicksburg After restoration, the value of the flag could be $15,000-$25,000
this evening.” Examples like this typically sell for $1,500 to $2,500. depending upon the results.

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