Civil War Union Diaries
Civil War Soldier's Archive of Robert McKinley Served In George Armstrong Custer's Third Cavalry Division Who Was Present at General Lee's Appomatox Surrender & More
(GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER). Original 2nd West Virginia Cavalry Soldier's Robert McKinley's Civil War Era Archive containing Eight (8) Individual historically important George Armstrong Custer related items from the adjutant that wrote down Custer's famous address to his troops.
Original Archive containing Eight related items, each belonging to Private Robert McKinley, Co. I, 2nd West Virginia Cavalry. That unit was a part of George Armstrong Custer's Third Cavalry Division at the time of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomatox Court House on April 9, 1865. This Archive includes:

1. Small size New Testament Bible, carried by a relative, with notations of war activities along the margins. Front cover is missing and back cover is detached, soiled.
2. Time Line of the American Civil War written by Robert McKinley on five pages of a blank "Exchange Bank" lined paper notebook, measuring 6.75" x 4.75" with all pages present but some loose. After an introduction page it starts reading the history of the War listed battles over five pages, reading in part: "Abram Lincoln Inaugurated March 4th 1861 - Fort Sumter Fired on April 12th 1861 ... concluding with Battle of 5 Forks Va, April 1st 1865."
Also, notes on McKinley's marriage, illnesses and injuries he suffered from serving in the Civil War. Reading, in part: "R M Kinlay - Caught a Severe Cold which settled in his lung on Sinking Brouk (sic) Raid about Dec 26 1862 which after mimaled (sic) in Kenoriges (sic) in April 1864 about the 20(th) while on a charge at Withville Va his horse fell on left side Sent to the Gallipolis Hospital about June some time... Hart (sic) Disease commenced in Shanidose (sic) Valley near Winchester about September or Oct 1864."
3. Program for Union Veteran Legion Encampment No. 31, Newark, Ohio, giving the roster for 1912. McKinley is listed.
4,5 & 6. TWO U. V. L. Pinbacks, and a White Linen Handkerchief, Including:
a. Red, White and Blue Gold Gilt U. V. L. Ribbon "Newark, Ohio Encampment",
b. Highly decorative U. V. L. Button Green Harp-shaped with Gold Gilt Outlined Metal, Irish Unit Pin with Green Silk Ribbon reading; "God Save - Erin A Nation".
c. Pinned with a to a period White Linen Handkerchief. (3 items)
7. Image of R. M. McKinley as an older man, measuring 4.5" x 3.75" unevenly cut with some age spots and mounting remnants on its verso.
8. An after Supper Address given by Robert McKinley to members of the U. V. L. at their 31st Reunion, 5 pages, written in pencil, Very Fine. Light soiling and some minor fold splits. A highly patriotic address to his old comrades, naming the battles in which their members participated. The most important and historic line reading, in part:
"... and last of all Appomatox I had the Honer of being a member of the 3rd Cavalry Division under General George A Custer... was at Appomatox when General R. E. Lee throwed up the Sponge to U. S. Grant..."
It is known that Robert McKinley was present and active with General George Custer in the period of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Surrender at Appomatox. Mickinley wrote a Contemporary Handwritten Transcript of General George Armstrong Custer's, "Address to the 3rd Cavalry Division, on April 9, 1865, at the Appomatox Court House," (Previously sold by HCA, combined with the Carte de Visite of George Custer.) This historic Civil War, George Custer related Archive and the ancillary related materials make this a very unique opportunity for collectors. (8 items)
The 2nd West Virginia was recruited mainly in Ohio. It was organized by Colonel William M. Bolles and operated about Western Virginia until July 1864 when it moved to the Shenandoah Valley. It fought at Kearnstown, Chambersburg, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, Appomattox Station, and was at Appomattox during the surrender of the Confederate Army.
The Regiment led the Army of the Potomac in the Grand Review at Washington, then travelled to Wheeling and was mustered out on June 30,1865. During its service, the Regiment lost 4 officers and 77 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 115 enlisted men died from disease.