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JOHN ROWE : 1862 - 1865 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT PRE-CONFEDERATION CANADA WEST 'LETTERS BOOK' DETAILING ONE CANADIAN'S DESIRE TO FIND HIS TRUE LOVE AND FIND ADVENTURE AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: BUCHANAN'S 13th BATTALION

4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. On offer is a remarkable 1862 - 1865 original handwritten manuscript 'letters book' wherein the author, Mr. John Rowe, residing in Hamilton Ontario for the most part, has kept a meticulous record of his correspondence to friends, family, business associates and intimates. Local collectors and historians of Canadiana relating to Canada West [Ontario], Hamilton, the Niagara area and the author's hometown of Port Stanley and Canada's attitudes and involvement in the American Civil War will delight in the treasure trove of historic content in his writings and revel in the different threads of correspondence. Mr. Rowe writes of romance, commerce and war. He works for the noted Isaac Buchanan of Buchanan, Harris and Co. who one on-line source notes: 'In 1863 Buchanan established the 13th Battalion of the militia (now the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry). He gave the regiment its first colors, and also coined its motto "Semper Paratus". When the 13th Battalion fought in the Battle of Ridgeway in 1866, the wounded were treated at Buchanan's estate 'Auchmar'. Almost eighty years later injured men from the RCAF would also convalesce there.' Rowe, in what might seem rather telling, kept copies of his love letters too; he writes to women in a courting manner but when rebuffed he can be bitter in his comments to an intimate regarding the woman and her other partners and friends. His letters professing love to 'Lizzie' from Toronto are classic. Then there is the American Civil war and his keen interests in militaria; firearms, drilling and action. John corresponds with a very diverse group: Capt John Brown, No. 4 Co. 13 Batt'n V Md; his mother, his sister [in Stoke Devonport England]; Grace Rosevear of Guelph, Schell of Campbellton and his cousin Sergeant G. Ford 2nd Battal Sco Fusilier Guards Montreal to name just a few. Mr. Rowe is a great writer and provides much detail with much personality and covers many areas with most of his correspondence making this an almost diary like collection. Here are some of the details of his participation regarding the Civil War: to his cousin Sergeant Ford Jan 14, 1863: "We have formed several companies of volunteers in Hamilton. We are gazetted a "Light Infantry" and formed into a battalion of which Mr. Buchanan (my governor) has been appointed Lieut. Colonel. I have joined one of the camps.... We were first drilled by a Guardsman Sergt major Henry.... he was a splendid drill and we all liked him very much, but he has been removed and we have now a Colon. Serg't of the Rifle Brigade." Later he writes: Dear Schell (February 7, 1863) ... Pete Buchanan is ensign. Stuart enjoys the rank of Corporal.... he just returned from New York where he went to see his brother who was wounded before Fredericksburg where I believe Stuart has the great honor of drinking with the Governor of Nebraska and some U.S. Generals.... Since his return he is full of his exploits - dining with General Char-them-up..... There is a spring meeting tonight at Mrs. Thom Clark's." As to the book condition proper someone, probably a young girl or woman used pages 1 to 40 as a scrapbook glueing newspaper clippings of poems and verse to both sides of the handwritten pages. Pages 40 to 282 are all handwritten and all the letters are dated, addressed and signed. This extraordinary, unique book of 240+ pages provides a super rendering of life in Southern Ontario at this pre-Confederation time. Condition overall is Good and would be better save for some faults to the cover the worst being chipping and some loss to the spine. Interior is good though Rowe cut some leaves out and there are some tears, chips etc to the fragile onion skin type papers. This is truly a one of a kind archive of first hand history given Mr. Rowe's almost compulsive retention of his writings - lucky for us!. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Hard Cover

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