[CIVIL WAR] Appomattox Archive from Sgt. Welch, 23rd TN

About Auction

Live

Day 2: The American Civil War

By Fleischer's Auctions

Apr 25, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-04-25 09:00:00 2026-04-25 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Day 2: The American Civil War https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/day-2-the-american-civil-war-22127
Featuring rare artifacts, documents, ephemera, photography, and weaponry relating to the American Civil War. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com

View Full Catalog (361)

• Lot Description

  An incredible collection of documents from 1st Sgt. George K Welch, Company B, 23rd Tennessee Infantry. The archive is highlighted by a remarkable diary begun by Welch in 1865. A complete list of items is included below. 

   

  George K. Welch enlisted as a 1st Sergeant on 31 July 1861, along with several brothers and cousins. They initially were stationed in Kentucky before moving to the Western Theater, where they fought at the Battle of Shiloh. They then returned to Kentucky under General Bragg and were present at the capture of Munfordville and engaged at the Battle of Perryville. At the end of 1862, they fought at the Battle of Murfreesboro. In 1863, they were bloodied at the Battle of Chickamauga, losing 98 in casualties. At the end of the year, they were operating in east Tennessee and western Virginia until they moved to defend Richmond during the spring of 1864. 

   

  Welch's diary begins in 1865 when the regiment was moving through Virginia and provides frontline reactions from the Siege of Petersburg and the Appomattox campaign. In addition to military updates, Welch devotes about 8 pages to discussing his thoughts on President Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration, offering incredible insight into the mindset of a staunch Confederate.

   

  Welch opines the following about Lincoln and the Union in general: "The fourth day of march [1865] will no doubt be a grand day in Yankeeland, nothing like what will then be seen has ever before been witnessed on this continent or on any other There will be infinite bell-singings unlimited fireworks unrestrained rhetoric immeasurable processions And why therefore is the free American air to be obeyed(?) with all this hubbub Because simply on that day Lincoln will be inaugurated as president of the United States & on that day the Yankee nation is to celebrate with all the wild enthusiasm for which it is so remarkable The recent victories of the Federal armies the capture of Charleston and Wilmington the march of Sherman through South Carolina and the anticipated suppression of the great rebellion It is in this manner that the Yankees have resolved to celebrate the antemortem obsequies of the Confederacy for fear perhaps that they may not have another chance & that the accursed They may start again into life & vigor from a condition which they have determined to be moribund at least It will be interesting to read the reports of the doings & especially of the cheering(?) on this extraordinary occasion All the great Yankee orators will questionless harangue the expectant crowds describing in pathetic terms the miserable situation of the South & painting glorious pictures of the prosperity & power of the conquering North". 

   

  The entry regarding Lee's surrender at Appomattox on 9 April 1865 reads as follows: "...the sad & almost heart sending intelligence began to prevail that Gen Lee had surrendered his entire army which news spread like fire in dense stubble until the wildest confusion prevailed though momments [sic] & indications were such as to convince almost any one yet I could not fully get the consent of my men to believe it About 2 P.M. The report was fully confirmed and amid the horror has then pervaded my mind can gauge facts to express // or pen to depict But as our brave gallant & Christian old Chieftain knows what is best for us I will have to reconcile myself as best I can…” 

   

  Welch and his compatriots were present at Lee's Surrender at Appomattox. Included here is not only Welch's partly-printed parole, but a hand-written Special Order reading, in part: "All Officers and men of the Confederate service paroled at Appomattox C.H. Va who to reach their homes are compelled to pass through the lines of the Union Armies will be permitted to do so and to pass free on all Government transports and military Rail Roads. By Command of Genl. Grant...By Command of Genl R.E. Lee." 

   

  Items include: 

  1. Autograph diary of George K. Welch, Company B, 23rd Tennessee Infantry. Multiple locations, 1 January-23 April 1865. 32mo. Original leather wrapper. Approx. 82 pages with writing. Newspaper clippings tucked throughout pages. 

   

  2. Special Orders No. ---. Document signed by E.S. Parker & C.J. Venable, on behalf of Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, respectively. Permits paroled Confederates to pass through Union lines safely. Headquarters of the Army of Northern Virginia, [Appomattox Court House, Virginia], 10 April 1865. 1 page, 4 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. 

   

  3. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by W. H. Harder. Allows G. K. Welch "to go to his house, and there remain undisturbed." Appomattox Court House, Virginia, 10 April 1865. 1 page, 8 x 3 in. 

   

  [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]

  Condition

  Request Condition Report

  Conditions vary. Please inquire for more details. 

• Shipping Info

  • All packages valued at over $250 are shipped with a signature required upon delivery. All packages handled and shipped in-house by Fleischer's Auctions are not insured unless insurance is requested. Successful bidders who would like their packages insured are responsible for notifying us that this is the case and are responsible for paying the cost of insurance.

• Payment & Auction Policies

  • Available payment options

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
• Buyer's Premium
  • 25.00 %