[CIVIL WAR]. LOVEJOY, John M. (1843-ca. 1880). Manuscript Diary of Pvt. John M. Lovejoy of the 121st New York Infantry, with Descriptions of Major Events He Witnessed, Including Lee’s Surrender to Meade. [New York: 1865]. 32mo. [14, printed reference information, including an Almanac for 1865, 365 ruled pages for diary entries, 4, Memoranda, 25, Cash Account or Bills Payable] pp. With 228 pages of full-page or half-page manuscript entries or calculations, in various color pens or pencil. Approximately 120 x 80 mm. Bound in contemporary full limp diced russia wallet-style binding (worn, soiled, hinges starting, text generally toned, lower margins of text lightly dampstained, inner covers worn, torn). Lovejoy and his brother Andrew (1839-ca. 1905) enlisted in 1862 in the 121st New York Infantry (on the first diary page, Lovejoy has written: “Private John M Lovejoy. 1 Co. G. 121st N. Y. S. Vols. This Diary for 1865. Purchased at Cooperstown November 17th 1864. Cost $, 0. 40. at Ruggels.” Although much of his diary describes the weather, commanding officers, letters sent to and received from relatives (including his cousin Cynthia, whom he would later marry) and camp life (he ends many entries with entreaties to God for safety), Lovejoy describes several important and unusual events, including: Friday, January 6: “There was a deserter shot to day in camp who was a member of the 4th Reg. N. J. Vols. he was caught on a Blockade runner.”; Monday, January 9: “This morning the Rebs mad another drive on our picket line and was repulsed with a loss of fifty men prisoners…”; Wednesday January 11: “Considerable firing to day on the picket line,...” Tuesday, January 17: “Salute of 100 Guns fired at Fort Sedgewick in honor of the fall of Fort Fisher. Thank God for Victory. About 800 deserters come into our lines for work”. Of course, more vital entries include: Sunday, April 2: “This morning we charged the Rebels in front of Ft. Fisher and broke their entire line. Then we went to the support of the 9th Corps and have lain all the P. M. in the mud [?] in the Rebels works taken by the 9th corps this morning.” Monday, April 3: “at 1 [?] aclock this morning we began at one line and Skirmished into Petersburg and soon the City was full of Union Soldiers Lea [sic] is in full retreat.” Tuesday, April 4: “Heard the order read that the City of Richmond was occupied by our troops Yesterday morning. Thank God for Victory.” And Sunday, April 9: “Pleasant marched about 12 miles to near Clover Hill Church halted at 4 p.m. and Genl. Lee at 5” Surrendered his army to Genl. Geo. G. Meade.” Near the end of the diary, Lovejoy (on six pages) lists fellow troops, many of whom were dead. A superb record of an eyewitness and participant of one of the darkest chapters in American history. Lovejoy’s other letters survive in various institutions as a record of his Civil War experiences.