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[CIVIL WAR]. MICHAEL JACOBS. Book. Notes on the Rebel Invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania and the Battle of Gettysburg, Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1864. 47 pp., 4½ x 7¼ in. With folding map.

Inventory #22586       Price: $550

Excerpt

“Going out over the hard fought field, immediately after the end of the battle, we every where saw the most striking evidences of the severity of that terrible struggle. Shattered trees, perforated houses, fences swept away; trodden down corn & what fields; scattered blankets, coats knap sacks, scabbards, canteens, muskets, rifles; and hundreds of thousands of minnie balls, shot & shells gave evidence of that the storm of war had swept over that field.

But still more striking evidences we saw, in the soil stained with human give; in the 3000 noble horses whose carcasses which met the eye in every direction; & especially in the 8 to 9000 human bodies dead & mangled, with eyes staring horribly, strewed over the ground; & man of the more than 20,000 wounded of both armies yet remaining in the fields”

Historical Background

This firsthand account is one of the first works published on the pivotal battle of Gettysburg. It was written by Pennsylvania College (now Gettysburg College) professor Michael Jacobs (1808 – 1871), who taught mathematics, chemistry, and natural philosophy. Jacobs was one of only seven professors remaining at the college during the battle. Reverend Jacobs, who was also the college clergyman, kept detailed weather records for over thirty years. His observations provide historians with some of the most accurate information on weather during the three-day battle.

Condition

Original gilt-lettered cloth, with minor split to hinge and minor water damage, minor tear to map

Sources

“Portrait of Michael Jacobs.” http://www.gettysburg.edu/library/m/qr/jacobs.dot

“Evergreen Cemetery.” http://www.evergreencemetery.org/npeople2.htm.