AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, Soldierƒ??s Bible, Lt. Col. Joseph Harvey KENDRICK (1831-1900). [HOLY BIBLE] The

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, Soldier’s Bible, Lt. Col. Joseph Harvey KENDRICK (1831-1900).

[HOLY BIBLE] The New Testament … translated out of the original Greek; and with the former translations diligently compared and revised [bound with: The Book of Psalms]. New York: American Bible Society, 1861. 32mo (4 ¼ x 2 3/4in; 108 x 70mm). Pp.[1-]479; [1-]120, extra-illustrated with a fragment of tissue used as a page marker [see images]. (Small clean tears to lower margin of Psalms pp. 79/80 and 81/82). Original wallet-style limp red leather binding, gilt edges (defective: flap lacking, tears and splits [see images]).

Provenance: Captain, later Lt.Col., Joseph Harvey KENDRICK (1831-1900, presentation inscription from his wife, dated the day before the official date of his commission: “Presented to Capt / J.H. Kendrick / Upon entering the USA[rmy] / Oct 1st 1862 / By his Wife [Abby Kendrick]”).

A well-used ‘soldier’s Bible’ with an appropriate inscription. The ‘page marker’ [‘advertising’ “Noyes’s Excelsior Pop Corn”, see images] includes an image of 34-star flag which theoretically dates the fragment to 1861-1863.

In 1862, J.H. Kendrick enlisted as a private in the 11th Regiment of the Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed as a recruiter by the city of Providence. He raised and organized companies I and K of the 11th Regiment, and 50 men of company of company A of the 12th Regiment. On 2nd October 1862 he was commissioned as Captain of Company I, 11th Regiment, “and ordered to the defence of Washington, where he remained about three months, after which he participated in the siege of Suffolk, Virginia.  He was then ordered to Yorktown and thence to Williamsburg, where he was on duty until the expiration of his terms of service. In July 1863 he returned to Providence” (The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island [1881], p.529). He had married Abby B. Arnold in June 1856, and after his return from active service in 1863, he remained a volunteer member of the First Light Infantry of Providence, reaching the rank of Lt.Colonel.