Pertaining to Private John H. Pepple, Co. "F," 53rd Illinois Infantry. A draftee, Pepple served from November 16, 1864 until mustering out on July 22, 1865. His combat experience was primarily in the Carolinas during the campaign that lead to Joseph Johnston's surrender near Durham Station, NC. His effects to include: A half-cased sixth plate tintype showing Pepple as a rough hewn western Yankee gripping a rifled musket while wearing a slouch hat and a fatigue blouse. His silk handkerchief, tied in a neat bow, is the soldier's only concession to superfluous fashion. A standard issue belt rig is secured by a US oval plate and supports a cap box. Lightly tinted by the photographer, this image has clean, stable surfaces that retain good tonal contrasts; A leather bound pocket diary, approximately 100 pages variously in pencil and ink, 6 x 4 in., missing the first ten pages and several interior leaves, the text opening with a mileage log itemizing marches undertaken between December 9, 1864 and Pepple's discharge. The diary proper misses the November 30, 1864 Battle of Franklin, TN and moves directly to the skirmishes around Nashville and movements in northern Alabama. 1865 finds the 53rd Illinois in North Carolina and the diary follows the regiment's advance to Raleigh. Unfortunately, the book lacks pages for the Battle of Bentonville and Raleigh's fall. The spine is split; pencil inscriptions are fading; stains throughout the text. Overall fair condition.

$400 - 600