This is a soft bound book by Charles Pittman who tells the wonderful story of a slave in Georgia who was so close with "his master" that he accompanied him to the Civil War. His full life is narrated by Charles Pittman.  He had a rich life, and all of the people who employed him loved him.  The book tells of all his travels. He had a mission to find his former "owner", finally finding him at the home for Confederate Soldiers in Atlanta.  He adopted all the residents by providing treats for the former soldiers who were barely provided for. He was later honored after his death by Governor Sonny Purdue.

This is a reprint and measures 6 X 4 inches. Here is the complete title, NATIONAL SCHOOL FOR THE SOLDIER: An Elementary Work on Military Tactics in Question and Answer--Conforming to the Army Regulations Adopted and Approved by the War Department of the United States/National Military Series Part First 

I purchased two of these images by Moberg in Brooklyn N Y as I was so curious as to the subject's outfit. The other sold. The image is very light, though clear.  The background is murky raising the possibility that the image was reproduced from an earlier photograph since the Vivandieres were active during the Civil War.  This woman appears to be in her 40's so it is possible that photograph was made in the 1880's to document or re-enact her role in the war.  I have been able to find images on the web that duplicate the canteen on a strap, the uniform with an apron and an exact description of the hat that she is wearing.  Note the naval insignia on her plumed hat.  There are few images of Vivandieres on the web and I was unable to find a Naval one.

I believe this is a first edition although it was copy written in 1866. It has been re-bound but very tastefully done in leather.  Published in Cincinnati: Miami Printing and Publishing Company.  Moisture stains at top right corner which eventually fades out. Musty smell but not over powering. Moisture stain at bottom left corner which goes through the whole book.  Light foxing throughout the pages but very clean considering the age.  The interesting thing is that a Confederate soldier has made pencil comments throughout the book.  Ink writing on a blank page which is very faded but appears to read B.B.M.L. Barr.  However on one of the pages the owner has written "The author has more intelligence than any other southern author of his period J A Barr".  The only J A Barr I can find was with the 12th Georgia Militia which  doesn't really compute.  The book came from the library of a historic Gallatin Tennessee family.  The most interesting comment is on the last page and the handwriting seems different.  "Very interesting and excepting the partiality for some officers whom I could not like reliable. Morgan men (many of them) were more thievish but not the brave than he represents them.  I was with them from May 5 to June 20th 1863."  

This is a tintype which is an unusual size, measuring two and three fourths of an inch by four inches. Painted American flag on a camp scene background.the handsome Union soldier  is wearing a Gault style ferrotype, no doubt Lincoln but if it is of another Presidential candidate it would be even rarer.  Slight bend, clipped corners and possibly trimmed.  The bend does not detract and the clarity is excellent.  The ferrotype is clearer on the blown up photograph and is blurry on the scan since it is magnified so much.