The sun., 1916-01-09
CIVIL WAR LIBRARY.
Collection Of 1900 volumes Cow
crins Every phase of strife.

PHILADELPHIA has what IL regarded as
the most complete and elaborate IL
brary Of civil war literature IN tne
country. containing over 1I.0oo Vol
umes relating to every conceivaple
phase of the great American conhict'
1t is the property or col. Jonm nas.
Nicholson. recorder Of the Military
order of the Loyal Legion. In the
Flanders Building. and for many years
chairman Of the Gettysburg Battleheld
Commission who started the collection
half a century ago and is still ADDING
the latest books, which even at this late
day are beins written on the subject.
Not only Is Col Nicholson's library
unique because Of Its completeness. says
the Philadelphia Record, but number
OF valuable autograph letters OF the
various generals and other officials,
original orders. unpublished reports
have been inserted in many OF the VOL
umes adding to their priceless value.
The collection was started by COL
Nicholson when he returned from the
war In 1866. He was invited TO the
| famous meetings OF the lie Cercle au-
tour du Poole" In Pennington's BOOK
shop on Washington Square on the
site now occupied by the Curtis PUP
fishing Company.
At that time Pennington's store was
clientele. Around a large circular stove
some OF the country's noted literary
men congregated and discussed various
subjects. II was there that Col. Nichol-
son. then young man. rubbed elbows
I and listened to such men az Oliver Wen
dell Holmes and Longfellow, who In
variably stopped off at Pennington's
while in this city.
! There also men noted in the world
OF art and statesmen sat In the big
| comfortable armchairs, smoked th"ii
pipes aud partook OF the quaint charm
of the place After the war, many dis
cussions arose in Pennington's. In which
Prof. George Allen of the University
or Pennsylvania. acknowledged author
ity on military matters. was the lead
ing spirit.
These discussions often included
Charles sumner. DR. Samuel Lewis
Winthrop Sergeant. William Russell
West, Gen. Franz Sigel, William Iienr,
Rawle Prof. Charles }. Stille and Johi
W. Wallace.
1t was while attending these affair
that Col. Nicholson decided to star
his collection. Al that time there were
not az many books printed on the sub
ject as In later years.
Included In the library is Comte d.
Paris's history of the civil war. OF TN
original edition. which Col. Nicholson
has also translated. into which hav'
been inserted two portraits and eigh
autograph letters Of the author relating
TO the work. and the Counts manu-
script OF Volume VIII. of the Frencl
edition.
| Three OF the most valued volume
are Grants Memoirs, Sheridan's Me
moirs and Pennypacker's Life of Meade
into which have been inserted a nunr5e
of AUTOGRAPH letters. original maps an
illustrations.
In Grants Memoirs are to he foun
a letter from Grant 10 Gen. Pembertoi
dated Nicksbur-. March ., 1868; eighty
two plates, eight maps and several re
views and cuttings. The copy of Sheri
dams Memoirs is also valuable becaus
the author TO Col Nicholson. and con
tains among other things fiftyseve
autograph letters.
There are many OF the original wa
maps, which hav. been incorporated /
the volumes relating to the campaign
. conducted I'm that territory. Anon
these are Gen. Meadc's copy of n
Gettysburg territory used in 1853, an
another map OF Gettysburg used b
, Meade in 1865.
In Dabneys Life OF 'Stonewal
Jackson" published in London in 1856
! IL also inserted the original copy of
: bill for erecting military telegrap
from stanton. Va, 10 lIarrisonburl
, with cer.!ficate signed by Brig, Gen. I
, II. Robertson. commanding cavalr.
September l. 1862. and the approv,
. signed by "Stonewall" himself
col. Nicholson did not include
his library anything pertaining to LII
q coin. as his friend. the late Majo, Vii
Co.. 7 l. 4.
I collection. Neither did he include n
- navy. as Assistant Engineer Frederic
Shobor also personal friend, was d'
ing that.