Featured 1837 Book Gifted by A Soldier During the Civil War

Got Vol II only of The Life of Thomas Jefferson. Published 1837. Not really too exciting, but the inscription on one page is intriguing. It looks like it says:

Presented to Geo G Forrest By ??? Scott Sr(?) ?? 8th Iowa

Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi Feb 21 1864.

That's what I think I can make out anyway. There was a famous battle fought at Big Black River Bridge in 1863.

Thought I'd get some eyes on this and see if anyone has any opinions. Haven't done too much looking into it yet myself.

 

Someone's family would die to have that. Of the 8th Regiment Iowa Infantry try:

Scott, Charles, Jr. (Veteran.) Age 22. Residence Chicago, Ill., nativity Ohio. Appointed First Lieutenant Sept. 20, 1861. Mustered Sept. 20, 1861. Promoted Captain June 24, 1863. Reenlisted and re-mustered Jan. 11, 1864. Mustered out April 20, 1866, Selma, Ala.

Debora

 

Nice. Thank you. Found a picture with him in it. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=825398372961932&set=a.640117644823340&type=3

 

The internet is just amazing, isn't it?

Debora

 

Does not appear to be an "S" in "Sir" but more likely his first name.

 

Jackson, Miss on the previous page ?

 

My family traced our tree back to the 1600’s. We had a cousin(Yankee) die in the Civil War. One of the 4 casualties of the battle. It was apparently his first encounter. Just noting that his family name had no connection obvious to my family name, so tracing the family line here might be near impossible unless the family has done their due diligence. Just my passing thoughts.

‘nice fine though Kronos.

 

That inscription is definitely intriguing, especially with the connection to the Civil War and the 8th Iowa Regiment. If it's correct, the inscription could be from Charles Scott Jr., who served in that regiment, potentially making the book a unique artifact with personal ties to the Civil War.

Given that Big Black River Bridge was a significant site in 1863, seeing a reference to it dated 1864 is fascinating. The timing could indicate this inscription was made during the post-battle occupation or while Scott was still stationed in the area.

If you're looking to dig deeper, researching both the 8th Iowa Regiment’s movements post-1863 and tracking down more personal details on Charles Scott Jr. might shed further light. Additionally, comparing the handwriting style with other documented writings of the time could help verify the inscription's authenticity. A family historian might also value this piece highly, as suggested by Debora in the forum.

 

I think it's John G. Forrest, using the common old abbreviation Jno.

 

Yes, it is, I'm pretty sure. There was a John Forrest who was in the 22nd Regiment, Iowa Infantry, and was in Mississippi at the time the inscription was written. This page has the regimental location history, scrolling down a little over halfway. I hope this is a usable link.
https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units.htm#fq[]=State:"Iowa"

It may or may not be this John G. Forrest who died in Davenport, Iowa in 1887
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166708198/john-g-forrest

And it's possible that neither record is for the one who is mentioned in the inscription. However, it's a lead, if @Kronos has not figured it out already. It's been a couple of months since he started this thread.

 

Oh my God, if I were you I would put it in a place where no one knows. What value is that?! I am currently writing a college application, but I probably don't have time for that, I will probably use https://edubirdie.com/college-application-essay-writing for that. I would like to get more photos of this book. I am interested because my father has been working with such books all his life and passed this interest on to me. I am waiting for your answer and photos.