- Elisha Dyer, Union General, 10 th Rhode Island Volunteer Militia, Governor of Rhode Island - A Summer's Travel to Find a German Home by Elisha Dyer. Signed by the Civil War General and Governor of Rhode Island. 1864 hardcover, no DJ. Signed and presented copy. Probable first edition based on preface where the author described it as a first effort, and not other printing information. Signed [illegible] R. Chambers Esq. from his friend, the Author. Cover boards wear at corners and spine heel and toe. Cover is otherwise unmarked. Booksellers mark in pencil on title page, identifying the author. Light age spotting throughout text. Pages otherwise unmarked in tight binding. The story is told that Gov. Dyer submitted the manuscript of this book to Professor Diman and asked his opinion of it without telling him that he was the author. Diman read it and then told the Governor that it was very crude and utterly unfit for publication, but nevertheless Gov. Dyer published it. Subsequently it was suppressed by his family and the remainder of the edition sold for junk, but they were recovered from the junk dealer by Mr. Webb or a book dealer and so gradually distributed. Not in Smith, American Travellers Abroad. From Wikipedia: During the Civil War, Dyer was the captain of Company B of the 10th Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. He served on active duty from May 23 to September 1, 1862, in the defenses of Washington, D.C.