Life in the Open Air, and Other Papers
Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1863. Frontispiece portrait, one black and white plate. Original cloth over boards. Octavo. vi, 374 pages.
Theodore Winthrop was one of the first Union officers killed in the Civil War, falling at the Battle of Big Bethel near Newport News on June 10, 1861. He had written several books--including this one--that were not published until after his death.
This volume of essays that includes one of the most detailed and valuable accounts of the arrival of Union soldiers in Annapolis and the march to reinforce Washington at the start of the Civil War. Winthrop was with the 7th New York Regiment, which reached Annapolis on April 22, 1861.
There is much information on the regiment's landing at the Naval Academy, the sentiment of the town, the restoration of the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad to reach Washington, securing Washington militarily thereafter, and more. This crucial role of Annapolis as the route by which Washington, DC was secured at the beginning of the Civil War is largely missed in the history books, and Winthrop provides one of the best firsthand accounts of these movements.
Winthrop is also, herein, the source of the wonderful anecdote about a Union soldier recognizing a damaged locomotive at Annapolis as one he had helped build, and thus quite capable of putting her back in running order.
Ref. BAL 23169.
Bound in dark blue/green cloth over boards with gilt-stamped spine titles, blind-stamped rules and ornamentation to both boards, brick-red endpapers. Shallow patch of chipping to lower 1" of fore edge of rear board, else no significant wear to binding. Occasional scattered spots of foxing to inside, with a fore edge chip to tissue guard facing frontispiece. Overall a fine and remarkably well-preserved copy.
Item #1798
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