This Prayer Book Was Carried by Two Union Soldiers ID’d From the Same Unit. One Carves His Name and Unit While in Richmond

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Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Par...

By Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions

Feb 28, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-02-28 10:00:00 2026-02-28 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Part1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/raynors-historical-auctions/raynors-spring-americana-auction---feb-28-part1-22414
Fascinating Americana Auction offering item in all periods of American history., from colonial through WWII. The items are offered as Autographs, Broadsides, Civil Wat Relics, Civil War Diaries, Confederate items. Political, Presidential, 20th Century Israel, Early Sports. Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions bob@hcaauctions.com

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• Lot Description
  Prayer Book, hard bound, lacks first dozen or more pages. It is ID’d of the inside cover in ink, “James Welsh, Company L, 4th U.S. Arty”. Welsh was unmarried 18 year old laborer in Chicopee, MA, he enlisted on 9 September 1861 in Springfield, MA and mustered as Private, Company D, 5th New York Cavalry on 19 September. Companies B and D of the regiment "suffered terribly" in action at Front Royal, VA on 23 May 1862 and they, including Welch, were detailed to serve as artillerymen in Battery F of the 4th United States Artillery (Lt. F.B. Crosby) in June 1862. He was with the Battery in action at Antietam in 17 September 1862. He reenlisted in December 1863 but was captured in a skirmish at Ely's Ford, VA on the Rapidan River two days before he was due to take his reenlistment furlough, about 19 January 1864. He was held at Belle Isle, Richmond, VA, then sent to Andersonville, GA in February 1864. He died there of disease on 18 October 1864.On the front cover, COVERED BY KNIFE into the leather, “Christopher Dillon, Battery (CO) L., 4th US Artillery, Richmond, VA.” (Christopher Dillon mustered into US Regular Army 4th LA Batty L., date unknown). We’ve never seen the soldier’s named carved by knifepoint. Very likely, this book was picked up by Dillon after Welsh’s capture. Siege of Petersburg (June 16, 1864–April 2, 1865): After the initial Seven Days Battles, the 4th Artillery was involved in this prolonged siege which was a major campaign to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond.
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