{"product_id":"1863-american-civil-war-pocket-new-testament-attributed-to-chaplain-john-s-dore-6th-new-hampshire-volunteers","title":"1863 American Civil War Pocket New Testament, Attributed to Chaplain John S. Dore, 6th New Hampshire Volunteers","description":"\u003ch1 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e American Bible Society, New York\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1863\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e King James Version\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 64mo (Pocket Edition)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBinding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Black textured leather with integral fastening flap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Attributed to Chaplain John S. Dore, 6th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, Union Army\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn original 1863 American Civil War-era pocket New Testament, published in New York by the American Bible Society. This miniature edition is particularly interesting for its attribution to John S. Dore, chaplain of the 6th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and its numerous contemporary or historical handwritten annotations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted during the height of the American Civil War (1861–1865), the New Testament retains its black leather binding with an unusual integral fastening flap, designed to protect the pages while being carried.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe volume contains numerous handwritten biblical references, names and addresses, offering a fascinating glimpse into the devotional and personal history of this small book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Significance: The American Civil War\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the American Civil War, religious organisations such as the American Bible Society distributed vast numbers of Bibles and New Testaments to Union soldiers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese portable editions were designed to be carried in uniform pockets and personal belongings, providing soldiers with spiritual comfort during campaigns, long marches and periods of uncertainty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMilitary chaplains played an important role in the Union Army, conducting religious services, visiting the wounded, comforting dying soldiers and corresponding with families.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted in 1863, this New Testament dates to the year of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Siege of Vicksburg and the Emancipation Proclamation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance: Chaplain John S. Dore, 6th New Hampshire Volunteers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis New Testament is attributed to John S. Dore, who served as chaplain of the 6th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDore initially served as a private before becoming a chaplain. The regiment's published history records his religious activities and his efforts to teach African American boys associated with the regiment to read using the Bible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite initially encountering ridicule from fellow soldiers, Dore gained considerable respect for his dedication and was subsequently appointed chaplain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe volume has previously appeared in an auction catalogue under the description \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6th New Hampshire Chaplain ID'd Bible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where its military association and handwritten inscriptions were recorded.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe catalogue transcribed an inscription identifying the owner as a chaplain of the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers, Second Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the historical chaplain is recorded as John S. Dore, the auction transcription gives the surname as Dove. The precise identification and authorship of the inscriptions therefore remain subject to further verification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInscriptions and Annotations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe volume contains numerous handwritten annotations, including biblical references, names and addresses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf particular interest is an inscription reading approximately:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMrs Nancy Dore, Bradford, Penobscot Co., Maine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis potentially provides an additional connection to the Dore family, although the precise relationship has not been established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther annotations appear alongside passages in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, including references to Herod, John the Baptist and the conversion of Saul.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese notes may represent personal biblical study, sermon preparation or devotional reading. Their presence adds considerably to the historical character of the volume.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBinding and Condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBound in black textured leather with a distinctive integral fastening flap.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe binding displays considerable age-related wear, including rubbing, scuffing and losses to the leather surface, particularly around the edges, corners and spine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fastening flap remains present, although it shows substantial wear. The leather has developed an attractive aged patina consistent with prolonged use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternally, the pages display age-related toning, occasional marks and numerous handwritten annotations. The printed text remains generally clear and legible in the photographed sections.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original 1863 title page is present. A complete leaf-by-leaf collation has not been undertaken, and completeness is therefore unconfirmed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease consult the accompanying photographs for a detailed assessment of condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy Buy This New Testament?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn evocative example of American Civil War religious printing, combining a miniature 1863 New Testament with an unusual protective leather binding and an intriguing association with a documented Union Army chaplain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe handwritten inscriptions and possible connection to the 6th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry distinguish this volume from ordinary nineteenth-century pocket New Testaments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn appealing historical artefact for collectors of American Civil War memorabilia, military chaplaincy, American religious history and antiquarian Bibles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight - 80g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight - 9.5cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth - 6.2cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThickness - 2cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Momo Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55476179992915,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/9187\/5411\/files\/IMG_9638.jpg?v=1792248348","url":"https:\/\/www.momorarebooks.co.uk\/products\/1863-american-civil-war-pocket-new-testament-attributed-to-chaplain-john-s-dore-6th-new-hampshire-volunteers","provider":"Momo Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}