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SGT. JOHN REED, 316 INFANTRY BAND : 1917 ORIGINAL SENSATIONAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF AN ARMY BAND SERGEANT WHO LOOKS FOR FRIENDS AND FOES ON THE FRONTLINES BETWEEN CONCERTS, A REVOLVER HIS ONLY COMPANION

48mo - over 3" - 4" tall. On offer is an original and simply sensational manuscript relic of World War I being the handwritten diary of Sgt. John Reed of the 316 Infantry Band. Over 120 pages fully written in neat dense hand Reed details his experiences 'To Whom It May Concern'. He begins July 5th retrospectively explaining his being drafted November 3rd 1917 and then spending an easy 8 months at Camp Meade [for him it was an easy transition into the Army life as he had already served in the US Regulars]. From July 5th on he writes with dedication to a very abrupt end June 8th 1918. Reed is a super diarist, has a great personality and is a dedicated American. One cannot help admire this soldier. The very first writings on the free endpaper states: Advance into Germany, Millions of trained fighters, Eagerness to crush Prussianism, Righteousness and readiness to serve, Immense Resources, Crushing blows delivered to Huns, Army unconquerable, Navy superb, Safety for Democracy for World spelling out the word AMERICANS. Here is a snippet: 'Sept 29th Our infantry was still advancing and fighting like tigers, it wasn't interesting for me to stay in the supply loo so I started all alone for the front my revolver and lots of ammunition was my only friend. I walked until I got to a town that we had just captured but 'Bosh' still bombarding it heavily while looking around for wounded friends I found out that by this time Charlie Miller was still ahead of me and well and fighting like an old regular. I also met my old friend Hal Anderson working day and night as a stretcher bearer he was tired out and hungry as I send a man back after food for him and seven others as I am writing this 'Bosh' are still bombarding with monster bullets bursting all around us.' 'Sept 30th I only crawled out of a hole twice all day and that was at mess time. This day the Germans bombarded our field hospital killing many of the hospital wounded lads. Hospital had been put to close too the front.' [near Verdun.] Of course there is the mundane - but it is never really mundane - dinner in the rough is described as a rabbit with its neck broken, the French woman cutting out the eyes, the house they waited in during a bombardment, the rain, the mud and the waiting. Being in the band there are many concerts but they seem secondary to the action and the observations. Oblong flipbook style in this 5.25"x 2.5" also includes an actual photograph (not a copy) of his 316 Infantry Band Unit. Also included: a First Edition copy of the U.S. official issued song book, entitled "Songs of the Soldiers and Sailors. Issued by the Commissions on Training Camp Activities of the Army and Navy departments. First Printing 1917. Also included is a newspaper clipping that Sgt. Reed had tucked away in his journal. It includes information about his company's orders to go to France.. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Hard Cover

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