Left-Handed Penmanship
J.S.
Prendergast, private. Co. F. 24th Massachusetts Infantry, North
Truro, Massachusetts
[Left-handed
penmanship contest submission], 1866
Manuscript and carte-de-visite
Manuscript Division, 40.12
a.b
Gift of Gabriel Wells, 1931
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William Oland Bourne, editor of the periodical The Soldier's
Friend,
sponsored two contests in which Union soldiers and sailors who
lost their right arms by disability or amputation during the Civil
War were invited to submit samples of their penmanship using their
left hands. The first contest in 1866 awarded cash prizes totalling
$1,000.
Private J.S. Prendergast, Company F. 24th Massachusetts
Infantry, won $20 for this submission describing the battle in
which he lost his arm.
Exhibition - Left Handed Penmanship
Broadside, 1866
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division
(40.12 c)
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