Blood Relic...

[Private Watkins]

A very respectable dealer, one of the best in my humble opinion, has this item for sale, and as historic as it might be, even if money was not an issue, I don't think I could bring myself to ever buy it because of the blood stains.

Don't mean to condemn or judge, that's just me, but I'm curious what others think... No big deal...? Makes it more valuable...? Something you would never touch...? Maybe it's not blood anyway, just water stains...? Etc., etc. etc.... what's your reaction?



RARE - an historic 1862 diary belonging to Corporal John Hansard of the 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Corporal Hansard faithfully kept his diary right up to the very day that he was killed in the Battle of Shiloh. He is buried in the Shiloh National Cemetery, and you can visit his grave yet today. The diary is in very nice stable condition with what appears to be bloodstains on the upper portion of the diary. I have included a close-up picture of this area, and I suppose DNA tests could confirm. It would be very hard to find a more touching and historic personal artifact than this one.

 

[Frederick14Va]

I would have to say its water stains... Blood proteins habitually tend to be rather caustic to paper, and some fabrics over time.. etc... which this does not appear to be... Still nice item... seller really didn't need to try to embellish or apply speculation upon the artifact if that be their intent...

 

[alan polk]

Exactly what Frederick said, especially his last sentence. It is a shame that dealers jump to conclusions to get people emotionally riled in order to add value to an item.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Agreed......Water stains.......In my opinion, maybe someone in his family would like to have this......

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

A very respectable dealer, one of the best in my humble opinion, has this item for sale, and as historic as it might be, even if money was not an issue, I don't think I could bring myself to ever buy it because of the blood stains.

Don't mean to condemn or judge, that's just me, but I'm curious what others think... No big deal...? Makes it more valuable...? Something you would never touch...? Maybe it's not blood anyway, just water stains...? Etc., etc. etc.... what's your reaction?



RARE - an historic 1862 diary belonging to Corporal John Hansard of the 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Corporal Hansard faithfully kept his diary right up to the very day that he was killed in the Battle of Shiloh. He is buried in the Shiloh National Cemetery, and you can visit his grave yet today. The diary is in very nice stable condition with what appears to be bloodstains on the upper portion of the diary. I have included a close-up picture of this area, and I suppose DNA tests could confirm. It would be very hard to find a more touching and historic personal artifact than this one.

Shiloh after battle report:

Report of Lieut. Col. George S. Mygatt, Forty-first Ohio Infantry.

BATTLE-FIELD OF PITTSBURG LANDING, April 9, 1862.

SIR: In compliance with orders received from Col. W. B. Hazen,
commanding brigade, my command lay upon their arms all the night of
the 6th, and at daybreak on the morning of the 7th I advanced, formed
in column by division, as a reserve, on the line of advance up to that
point where the skirmishers were driven in and where the advanced line
engaged the enemy.

I then deployed my command, still holding it as a reserve, and twice
during the early part of the engagement changed front to the rear on the
ninth company, to avoid an enfilading fire of a battery on the enemy's
right center. Both of these movements were executed promptly and
without confusion. In fact, every movement made by the regiment was
executed with as much coolness as upon our ordinary drill ground, and
great credit is due for its perfect obedience to all orders, though the
regiment was under a heavy fire for nearly four hours without being
able to return a single shot. About 11 o'clock a. m. the enemy charged
boldly and in large force upon our right, and I was then ordered by
Gen. Nelson, Col. Hazen being in another part of the
field, to charge upon the enemy. At this command the regiment rushed
upon the enemy, firing as it advanced, and drove them back at the point
of the bayonet for over a half mile, in the face of a galling infantry and
artillery fire, when our advance was checked, the retreating enemy
being supported by two additional regiments of infantry, and the
regiment retired in good order, ready to renew the struggle wherever its
assistance might be needed. It was in this part of the engagement that
we sustained our heaviest loss.

I regret to announce the following casualties in the nine companies
engaged in the action, Company G, Capt. Munn, having been left at
Savannah to protect our regimental train.*

* * * * * * *

RECAPITULATION.

Engaged, 18 officers, 355 enlisted men-373.
Killed, 22; seriously wounded, 49; slightly wounded, 62; missing, 7.

All of the officers behaved with the greatest gallantry, and many
instances of personal courage and daring were displayed. Four different
persons were shot down in carrying our colors through that destructive
charge. Great credit is due Capt. A. Wiley, acting lieutenant-colonel,
and Capt. E. Opdycke for the promptness with which they repeated
all commands and for the valuable assistance they rendered during the
engagement.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO S. MYGATT,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Forty-first Ohio Volunteers.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

*********************************************************************************

 

[Patrick H]

I agree that we are probably seeing water stains in these particular views--not to say that there might not be blood stains present elsewhere.

 

[Vicksburger]

All I can say is wow! This would be almost priceless! Hope someone can get it back to his descendants or a museum!

 

[huskerblitz]

It would be nice to have it transcribed and published somewhere so his words may live on.

 

[Package4]

A very respectable dealer, one of the best in my humble opinion, has this item for sale, and as historic as it might be, even if money was not an issue, I don't think I could bring myself to ever buy it because of the blood stains.

Don't mean to condemn or judge, that's just me, but I'm curious what others think... No big deal...? Makes it more valuable...? Something you would never touch...? Maybe it's not blood anyway, just water stains...? Etc., etc. etc.... what's your reaction?


RARE - an historic 1862 diary belonging to Corporal John Hansard of the 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Corporal Hansard faithfully kept his diary right up to the very day that he was killed in the Battle of Shiloh. He is buried in the Shiloh National Cemetery, and you can visit his grave yet today. The diary is in very nice stable condition with what appears to be bloodstains on the upper portion of the diary. I have included a close-up picture of this area, and I suppose DNA tests could confirm. It would be very hard to find a more touching and historic personal artifact than this one.

water stains, blood/animal proteins tend to attract insects and even if the item were protected the protein would break down the paper. Most uniform pieces that have blood stains have been insect ravaged and paper is no different to the vermin.