This copy of “THE SOLDIER’S HYMN BOOK Second Edition (30,000) revised.” was published in Charleston, S.C. by the South Carolina Tract Society in 1863. The cover is fabric that has faded to a deeper brown and shows some wear along the edges and spine.  Crude hand stitching with period correct thread spans the spine and serves as a binding repair – perhaps a field repair or a late repair after seeing much continued use.  All told, there are 256 pages with limited edge wear and creasing/folding in a few sections, and limited page foxing throughout which lends nicely to its antique appearance.

This extraordinary pocket hymn book features two contrasting identifications that undoubtedly tell an interesting Civil War tale.

The inside cover is stamped in a faded ink “Lt. ALFRED HICKS SEVENTY SIXTH REGT. PENNA. VOLS.” and “Alfred Hicks” is written in pencil on the inside of the rear cover along with “X X I” markings.  Records show Alfred Hicks enlisted in Blair County, Pennsylvania on October 17^th, 1861 as a 2^nd Lieutenant in Company C of the 76^th Pennsylvania Infantry.  He was promoted twice – to 1^st Lieutenant on September 2^nd, 1862, and Captain on May 1^st, 1863. He mustered out on November 28^th, 1864.  The 76^th were eventually known as the “Keystone Zouaves” and saw extensive and bloody service with the Department of the South from the early victory at Port Royal, SC and liberation of Hilton Head Island, to operations against Charleston, and through to the capture of Wilmington near the end of the war. Alfred lived until 1916 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he is buried.

Interestingly, a penciled inscription on the title page reads “Lieut. R. E. Townsend Co. F 21^st S.C.V. (South Carolina Volunteers)” in the upper left corner.  The limited records available indicate Robert enlisted on December 1^st, 1861 and was commissioned a 1^st Lieutenant in Company F of the 21^st South Carolina Infantry.  Until 1864, the 21^st operated in the same areas as the 76^th Pennsylvania and opposed them in several battles including Morris Island/Fort Wagner and the continued defense of Charleston.  It most likely found its way from one owner to another during these 1863 battles of the Lowcountry and South Carolina Coast.

This is a remarkable piece that changed hands between Northern and Southern Junior Officers during the Civil War. A truly unique item for the collector. [cm][ph:L]

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