1862 Bible

By John Sexton · Originally published January 2017 · p. 23

1862 Bible Dear Civil War Appraiser: I purchased this Bible in 1997 at a flea market in Pennsylvania. What makes the Bible significant are the inscriptions in ink found inside along with the notes I found. The testament belonged to Oliver Hazard Perry Schroeder, Company D of the 61st Pennsylvania. He was from Allegheny County. The ink inscriptions direct anyone who may find the Bible on the battlefield to inform his wife and return the book. He adds his post office in Allegheny County to direct the book to. The one note pertains to a Corporal in the 123rd Ohio finding the book after the Opequan battle and returning it to his widow. Schroeder was mortally wounded and died in the hospital. Another note from someone named John Bigger saw him in the hospital, described the wound through the face, but hoped he would recover. There is a stain on the top of the binding…blood stain? There are two silk book marks…maybe pieces from a battleflag that note I Samuel and II Chronicles. Maybe these were chapters he read the night before the battle. I appreciate any insight in to value you may have. Andy K. Dear Andy K.: Civil War era Bibles are quite common and generally only have collector value over $20-40 if they have some historic association. You have done your homework, and this Bible does have most interesting ink inscription

Schroeder’s inscription. and associated ink notes along with silk “book marks” that appear to be from a souvenired flag. This Bible is typical Civil War small 1862 Philadelphia imprint and is inscribed Oliver Hazard Perry Schroeder, Co. B, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry, “my book.” Private Schroeder was drafted into service July 6, 1863, was wounded May 6, 1864 at the battle of the Wilderness, he died of his wounds August 1, 1864, at the military hospital in Washington, D.C. and is buried at newly founded Arlington National Cemetery (grave 13-6934) on land confiscated from Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. One note found in Bible is signed by John Bigger, a musician in 139th Pennsylvania who was also from Allegheny County as was Schroeder. He states “Perry Soder (sic) was wounded in the face and through his nose, ugly wound but I think he will get over it without much difficulty.” The second note states the Bible was found on the Opequon battlefield which is nowhere near the Wilderness, fully a month after Schroeder died. Most likely private Bigger had kept the Bible to return it to Schroeder’s wife in Allegheny County but had lost it on the Opequon battlefield where the 139th was heavily engaged. Cpl. Andrew Powell, who found the Bible and returned it to his wife was a member of Co. D 123rd OVI. The 123rd had lost 450 killed, wounded and missing of 700 men who started the Spring 1864 campaign which ended at Opequon. The 123rd went on to the final Petersburg campaign capturing two Confederate flags. It was quite common practice for soldiers to cut up and souvenir captured flags, which the two bookmarks in the bible could easily be as many similar souvenirs are identical though these are not identified. Bibles carried by soldiers during the Civil War have been collected and archived for many years. Of note, the Bible of Newton H. Phillips, of Schroeder’s company and regiment, Co. B, 61st PV was donated to the Andrew Carnegie Library in 1908. Newton carried the Bible through the same 1864 campaigns. He had the Bible in his knapsack according to the caption when he was wounded at Cedar Creek. Typically, inscribed Bibles of Civil War soldiers in similar condition sell in auction or by dealers between $300-500 that have no history but just similar aesthetics. An inscribed bible of General Robert E. Lee that was captured by Union forces in Lee’s baggage in 1865 sold for close to $100,000, twenty years ago, now in the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Lee’s Bible is probably a record for Civil War associated Bible. The subject Bible here has several interesting features that add value; Schroeder’s namesake was a hero of the War of 1812; associations of three enlisted soldiers who carried this Bible, all of which were front-line fighting units with gallant and meritorious war histories; and the flag souvenirs (more research needed). There are a few public sales of similar battlefield recovered Bibles of soldiers killed and sold in the last few years between $7501,500. Properly marketed, I’m sure this Bible will bring in this same range. John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items as well. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected].

Corporal Powell’s note.