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Sears, Edward H. (fl. 1861-1886) [Libby prison autograph album with sketches of Union prisoners of war]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01885 Author/Creator: Sears, Edward H. (fl. 1861-1886) Place Written: [Libby Prison] Type: Autograph album Date: 1864 Pagination: 1 volume : 21 p. ; 21 x 13 cm. Order a Copy

Signed by U. S. Navy Lieutenant Sears "with his mark". Hand drawn titlepage and watercolor drawings of Libby Prison and Castle Thunder. Also contains a sketch of a prisoner of war titled "Prison scene" with the quote, "Gentlemen, I wish to God I was exchanged." Signed by "F. Millward. del." Includes signatures of many Union officers confined as P.O.W.s at Castle Thunder and Libby Prison, Richmond. Among the autographs are those of Union generals Neal Dow, Eliakim Scammon and Henry Walton Wessells. Also signing are future brevet generals Robert S. Northcott, Stephen Moffitt, William G. Ely, Charles P. Mattocks, Nathan Goff and Alfred P. Rockwell. Sears enlisted from his residence in Providence Rhode Island as a 1st Lieutenant on 5 June 1861. He was commissioned into Company D, Rhode Island 2nd Infantry, and later "Batty G" Company, Rhode Island 1st Light Artillery. On 27 August 1863 he was commissioned into the US Navy Paymaster Department.

Sears enlisted from his residence in Providence Rhode Island as a 1st Lieutenant on 5 June 1861. He was commissioned into Company D, Rhode Island 2nd Infantry, and later "Batty G" Company, Rhode Island 1st Light Artillery. On 27 August 1863 he was commissioned into the US Navy Paymaster Department.

Sears, Edward H., fl. 1861-1886

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