Lot Details
Lot 18
[Civil War] Pike, Leroy
Autograph manuscript journal, seventy pages, 12mo, simulated leather, 14 May 1864-10 October 1864, accompanied by Col. J. B. Baker, document signed, one page, 4to, 13 June 1865, discharge for Leroy Pike.
Pike's discharge states that he was a musician under Capt. Sam B. Dansmore of the 10th Regiment of the Infantry of New York Volunteers. From Cortland, New York, Pike was 18 while writing his journal. The journal is composed of short daily entries and begins with descriptions of the Battle of Spotsylvania, May 17 and 18, 1864 and proceeds to the the Battle of North Anna on the 23rd. The days following June 1st describe his involvement at Cold Harbor, and the entry for the 3rd, when the Union armies made their charge, provides details of the battle: "at the sign we charged and undertook to take the enemy works by storm but they repulsed us with great slaughter." He lists the dead in his presence, "and others too numerous to mention." Pike's company moved to the James River on June 12 and on the 15th and following days joined in the attack on Lee's troops in Petersburg. On July 4th, he writes "today is independance day but it does not seam like it to me it is the most gloomy one that I ever saw all is quiet except the playing of brass bands." Still near Petersburg on July 20th, he writes that "the enemy seam to bee a little uneasy they are a comeing in daily they are tired of war." By the 25th, the 2nd Corps has moved to the James again to try to break Lee's grip on Petersburg and on the 30th, Pike is present at the massive mine explosion there. A few skirmishes at City Point are described, although Pike generally remains at Petersburg through August, taking part in the Battle of Weldon Railroad on the 21st. A longer description on the 25th describes the Confederate surprise attack at Ream's Station and the Union's eventual retreat after A.P. Hill's assault on Union troops under Hancock. September saw little action and in early October Pike was camped outside Fort Morton and describes several skirmishes there.
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