This pocket testament with brown cloth covers was published by the American Bible Society in New York in 1865, and bears wonderful pencil inscriptions by the soldier who carried it: Presented by / the U.S. Christian Commission / Louisville Ky / March 21st 1865 and William A. Barnard / Cleveland, Tenn. May 14th 1865- / Co, I. 11th Mich. Infanty / 3d Brigade / Separate Division / Army of the Cumberland.

I wish every inscribed piece of Civil War memorabilia bore an inscription that nice, or that real. Barnard was born in New York in 1847, but called himself 20 years old when he enlisted at Hudson, Michigan on 2/20/65 and mustered into Co. I of the 11th Michigan on 3/3/1865. The 11th Michigan had originally been recruited in 1861 and served three years, seeing action at Stones River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta Campaign. When the term of service was up for men who had not reenlisted, those who had and new recruits with time left remained in the field while the remainder went home, were mustered out, and the regiment was reorganized at Jackson, Michigan. Barnard joined this newly organized version of the regiment that returned to the field and was joined at Nashville by those who had remained in the field. From there it was moved to Nashville and assigned to the Second Division, Army of the Cumberland, and then sent to East Tennessee for two months service guarding railroad lines. It returned to Jackson, Michigan, in August, having suffered no battle casualties, but fifty dead due to disease, which has much the same effect, but somewhat less glory.

Barnard was mustered out 9/16/65. He married Henrietta Wilcox in Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1868. In 1880 they are living on her parentsÂ’ farm in Hillsdale with daughters Clara, age 6, and Dora, age 4. At some point, Dora got hold of her fatherÂ’s old pocket bible and added her name in ink. William Barnard died in 1930 at age 83. Henrietta died in 1932, also age 83. They are buried together in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Hudson, Michigan.

This comes with a printed regimental history and roster, part of a series covering every Michigan regiment, published by the state, and known among old-line collectors as THE BROWN BOOKS.

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VG