Civil War Soldiers Pocket Bible, war-dated "1862" (SOLD)

This is another nice item being offered, it is a Civil War Soldier’s Pocket Bible. It measures 4 3/4" x 3" x 1". This size made it easy for a soldier to carry it in his knapsack or coat pocket. (There are actually examples of these bibles which stopped bullets in battle). The title page reads "The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: Translated out of The Original Greek; and with The Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised.” At the bottom of the page is "`NEW YORK: American Bible Society, Instituted in the year MDCCCXVL", and the printing date at the bottom "1862".

Bibles were distributed to Union and Confederate soldiers by the American Bible Society, in continuation of a tradition begun by the Army and Navy in 1817. The Civil War posed a real dilemma to the New York based society; continuing to distribute bibles to its auxiliaries in the Confederate states, despite its opposition to slavery. A splinter Confederate States' Bible Society was formed, but the American Bible Society continued to cross battle lines on both sides, distributing more than 3,000,000 bibles before the end of the war.

The bible is complete but shows signs of extended use. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I show similar examples and go into more detail about the importance of religion to the Civil War soldier (see pictures). Also, in “Fighting Men of the Civil War”, there are very similar bibles (see pictures).

Take advantage of adding this unique piece to your Civil War collection....it would go great in a display of a soldiers personal effects. There is the chance that some soldier turned to this bible for comfort during his time of need. It would go great in a display of a soldier's personal effects.