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AN IMPORTANT U.S. CIVIL WAR NAVAL DIARY & MEDAL GROUP, detailing the experiences of Surgeons Steward Jesse Sherwood while serving aboard the Gunboat U. S. N. “Somerset”. Lot consists of a pair of 12.75” x 8” bound notebooks (illustration B.) containing over 125 hand written pages of entries including many interesting observations, experiences, comments and personal reflections. Sherwood’s journey begins in the Brooklyn Naval Yard as outlined in the first journal which is emblazoned with a hand drawn anchor and crossed canons (illustration C.). It begins: The following is a true copy of the U.S. Gunboat “Somerset”…” (illustration A.) Sherwood is a keen observer of his surroundings. His journals include numerous interesting commentaries on blockading and naval life aboard a Civil War gunboat. There are numerous accounts of boarding various foreign ships often after luring them in by flying the Confederate flag or the flag of another country. Sherwood also mentions passing by many well-known ships such as the Vanderbilt and Monitor as well as many well-known forts and harbors. Although a Union soldier, Sherwood does not disguise his dislike of blacks of whom he addresses with a variety of popular euphemisms of the day. In a January 1st entry Sherwood even goes so far as to poke fun at President Lincoln through a poem mocking the Emancipation Proclamation. In addition to daily entries, the journals also contain a detailed list of Sherwood’s purchases over the 28 months of service. Additionally there is an attempt to chart daily, weekly and monthly temperature recordings. Lot further includes Sherwood’s original hand written letter of resignation dated May 1864 (illustration I.). Also a framed CDV of Sherwood (illustration D.), a 1/6 plate Tintype of Sherwood’s then girlfriend Isabelle Flagler (illustration E.), a scarce U.S. Navy Civil War Service Medal #’d 803 on rim (illustration F). Plus Sherwood’s G.A.R medal (illustration G.) and his Farragut Veterans Association Medal (illustration H.). Furthermore lot contains one letter from U.S. Representative William W. Wilson dated 1911 and discussing Sherwood’s pension. Also four letters to Isabelle Sherwood from two vets informing her as to the whereabouts of the U.S. Somerset – it was in Ferry service up until about 1915 in New York. Also a 16” x 7” velvet covered Sherwood family photo album containing 54 cabinet card photos. Lastly lot also contains an informative and detailed copy of a 9-page talk delivered by Sherwood at the George A. Meade G.A.R. Post, Chicago, Illinois, 1898 and some pension records. Jesse Sherwood was born in Milford, Delaware. He was orphaned at age 11. At around age 15 he moved to Edina, Missouri where he met his future wife, Mrs. Isabelle Flagler. He served aboard the U.S.N. Somerset for 28 months. After the war he returned to Edina where he was elected mayor, a post he held for eight years. The Sherwood’s eventually moved to Chicago where Jesse was actively engaged as a cattle broker. He is buried in Riverview cemetery in La Grange, Missouri.

Estimate: $5,000-$7,500