Elmer Ellsworth, Manual of Arms for Light Infantry, Gen. Robert H. Milroy’s Copy

Description

This copy of Elmer Ellsworth’s Manual of Arms for Light Infantry belonged to Robert H. Milroy, Colonel of the 9th Indiana regiment and later Major General of Volunteers.

Ellsworth was dead four months when Indiana Colonel Robert H. Milroy apparently purchased this book in Indianapolis. At the time Milroy was re-organizing and training the 9th Indiana Volunteers – who had recently completed a 6-month enlistment – into a 3-year regiment. A sergeant in Milroy’s regiment was Ambrose Bierce, later to be a nationally prominent writer and social critic. Milroy’s career in command of Union forces was checkered to say the least. His forces finished second-best against Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley in 1862, and then were routed by Richard Ewell at Winchester in 1863. He somewhat redeemed his reputation by defeating the celebrated Confederate raider Nathan Bedford Forrest near Murfreesboro, Tennessee in late 1864.

Original patterned brown cloth, blind & gilt stamped covers. Front free yellow endpaper with ownership signature (twice) “R. H. Milroy Col. / 9th Ind. Vols. / Indianapolis IN / Aug. 21st, 1861”. Also signed on end page opposite.

A scarce Chicago pre-fire imprint!

Ellsworth, Elmer Ephraim. Manual of Arms for Light Infantry, Adapted to the Rifled Musket, With or Without the Priming Attachment. Arranged for the U.S. Zouave Cadets, Governor’s Guard of Illinois… Chicago: P. T. Sheelock, 1861. 1st edition, 192p., small octavo.