American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

Leatherbound "Diary for 1865." Published by John O'Hara, No. 27 Beekman Street, New York. Identified in multiple instances to George Brennan, Captain Commanding Co. M, 14th N.Y. Artillery. 6 x 3 1/4 in., approx. 133pp, pencil entries in 3 days per page format (light wear to leather, pencil occasionally light or smudged but overall very legible and clean). Daily entries from 1 January 1865 - 31 December 1865, plus Memoranda and Cash Account notations.

A captain of artillery, Brennan offers literate, daily reflections on the war. Notable content in the diary includes: March 25, "Rebels captured Ft. Stedman at 3a.m. and made a general assault at 5 a.m. and carried the line...they advanced nearly to Div HQ but were repulsed. The 2d Batt w/ Stedman were nearly all captured. Six officers taken and two wounded. Capt Houghton severely wounded...." [Capt. Charles H. Houghton, severely wounded in right leg, amputated]. -- March 29 - April 3, Appomattox Campaign including the assault and fall of Petersburg, "The Rebs opened all their batteries that could be made to bear on us and raised a perfect storm of shell on us the row lasted till 2am..." "The 3d Division charged and captured Fort Mahone the rebels charged eight times but did not take it. They commenced delivering off their troops after dark." The Rebels evacuated Petersburg at 2am-- April 10, "Brigade Officer of day. line nine miles long. rain all day and very muddy. Saw 2000 Rebel prisoners. Gen Lee surrendered with 30,000 men. How are you Southern Confederacy. Played Out." -- Additional war-related entries through the remainder of his service until Mustered out 26 August 1865. -- Memoranda includes a "Battle Roll" of the 14th New York Artillery.

[With:] Clipped page, approx. 2 1/4 x 1 3/4 in., with dried flower interwoven into paper between a pencil notation "Picked on the / Battle field of the / Wilderness Va May 6th 1864."

The 1860 Federal Census indicates that George Brennan (ca 1838-?) was a 22-year-old painter residing in Milo, Yates, New York. HDS indicates that three years later he enlisted on 12/29/1863 at Milo as a 1st Lieutenant, and was commissioned into Co. M, New York 14th Heavy Artillery. On 12/5/1864 he was promoted to Captain. He was mustered out on 8/26/1865 at Washington, D.C. The 14th NY Heavy Artillery was heavily engaged during Grant's Overland Campaign, and the Appomattox Campaign. The regiment participated in Battle of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, Boydton Plank Road, and Fort Stedman, among other engagements.