It has written on the first EP, verbatim, 'Found on Maryland Heights in July 1863 by S. S. Preble, Co C, 8th M V M.'
This pertains to Private/Musician Samuel S Preble, who was occupying the Heights at that time, and may have found this after a battle fought near or during that month, perhaps off of the person of a perished soldier. This was a common practice, and these have been deemed at times 'war-time treasures' or 'field relics.' If you look VERY closely under Preble's signature, there is the erased remnants of the original soldiers info...now forever a mystery. This is truly a one of a kind find. The book shows lighter to mild wear and remains in very nice shape with some minor staining and wear. Good luck. More about Preble and his regiment below:
Regiment Name 8 Massachusetts Infantry
Sources:Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War
Massachusetts GAR: Journal of the Annual Encampment
GAR Dept of Massachusetts 1866-1947 (Sargent)
8th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry (9 months, 1862-63)
Organized at Camp Lander, Wenham. Moved to Boston November 25, 1862; thence on steamer "Mississippi" to Morehead City, N. C., November 25-30, and to New Berne November 30. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of North Carolina, to December, 1862. Heckman's Brigade, Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to April, 1863. Jourdan's Independent Brigade, Defences of New Berne, N. C., to June, 1863. 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to July, 1863.
SERVICE.-Garrison duty at New Berne till June, 1863. (Cos. "A" and "E" detached as garrison at Roanoke Island, N. C., December 4, 1862, to July 12, 1863.) Companies "G" and "K" garrison Fort Totten till June 24, 1863. Expedition up Currituck Sound against guerrillas and to destroy Salt Works February 1-6, 1863. Companies "B" and "F" detached February 7 for garrison duty at Roanoke Island. Company "B" ordered to Elizabeth City February 10, and duty there till April 16, when rejoined Regiment. Reconnoissance toward Trenton March 16-17. Expedition to relief of Washington April 7-10. Reconnoissance toward Kinston April 16-21. Duty in the Defences of New Berne, at Fort Totten. Camp Coffin, Fort Thompson and Camp Jourdan till June 24. Moved to Fortress Monroe June 24-27, thence to Baltimore, Md., June 30-July 1. At Camp Bradford till July 6. Moved to Monocacy Junction, thence to Sandy Hook and Maryland Heights July 6-8. Moved to reinforce Army of the Potomac at Funkstown, Md., July 12-13. Movements to Rappahannock July 16-22. Ordered home July 26 and mustered out August 7, 1863.
Lost 11 Enlisted men by disease.
