As we march through the valleys and shadows, our muskets comfort us.

-Ira Pettit, 11th U.S. Regulars. 1863

Family album of Ira S. Pettit and "Diary of a Dead Man," the transcribed diary/letters of Pettit compiled by author J.P. Ray.

Ira S. Pettit enlisted with the 11th US Regular Army at the age of 21 in 1862 and fought in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. Wounded in the head in early 1864, Pvt. Pettit quickly rejoined his regiment only to be captured shortly thereafter by Confederate forces. Sent to the infamous Andersonville prison in Georgia, Pvt. Pettit died of disease on October 18th, 1864. He is buried in Andersonville National Cemetery. Pvt. Pettit was an articulate and descriptive author- his writings are often referenced by Civil War historians.

The bound family album includes over 20 gem-sized tintypes of Pettit family members and friends. Along with the portrait of Ira S. Pettit, there are two other named soldiers, including "Uncle Elisha Young," who was killed in action. We believe this album originally belonged to Ira's sister, Lucinda.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Antique Photography, Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, Albumen, CDV, Cabinet Card]