1863 CIVIL WAR NEW TESTAMENT. New-Bedford Bible Society Presented to New Father. He Died Months Later.

A very nicely preserved Bible presented to new father, Charles H. Simmons, who served in the 6th Unattached Company, Heavy Artillery, Massachusetts Volunteers, later incorporated into the 3rd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery. Prior to his enlistment in the heavy artillery in 1863, he also served as a member of Company E in the 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.

The 6th Unattached Company Heavy Artillery was raised in 1863 specifically for coastal defense and garrison duty within Massachusetts, stationed at Fort Rodman located at Clark's Point in New Bedford. While in service, Simmons died in the military hospital at Clark's Point on October 18 or 19, 1863.

Presentation plate, "Presented to Charles H. Simmons by the New-Bedford Bible Society. Samuel Fox, Agent. 

The ffep bears the following three genealogical notes:

Charles H. Simmons. Dide [sic] October 18th 1863

Sarah A. Simmons died June 23rd 1864

Nellie P. Simmons. Born July 3 1863

Charles H. Simmons was born 1841. Married Sarah M. Tripp [b.1844] May 17, 1863. Their daughter was born less than two months later. Sarah A. Simmons, whose death is also noted in the prelims, was Charles Sister. His wife and daughter survived him. 

Atypical, being an 18mo, which likely accounts for its state. The 32mo examples usually distributed to soldiers fit perfectly in the Union Infantry pocket. This larger size would have had to be stored in the sack or a side or pant pocket, and thus liable to much more substantial wear. Why Simmons was given a slightly larger Bible is a mystery; perhaps on account of a slight challenge with his eyesight, or similar. 

[Civil War; Bible Societies] 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. New York. American BIble Society, 1859. Brevier Test. & Psalms, 18mo. 

A fair example, only, but an unusual local example. Cloth heavily worn and chipped, prelims complete, preserving provenance, textually defective, lacking Acts V through the end of Ephesians, rear matter absent. Intact and usable.