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3072
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Civil War CDV- w. @ Gettysburg,70th NY / 28th USCT & BUFFALO SOLDIERS
No photographer’s backmark on this chest up vignette but it is period ink inscribed by the subject: Will H. Hugo H. O. B.(?) 1st Lieut. 28 U S C Troops. A look at our photo illustrations should do best to describe the CDV except to advise the viewer that our research produced a considerable and varied history on Hugo. Per information gleaned from period records, William H. Hugo was 28 years of age when he enlisted and was commissioned on 6/21/1861 as the Captain of Co. C,70th New York Infantry. Capt. Hugo was promoted to Major and transferred to the 70th Field and Staff on 5/17/1863 and, though wounded at the battle of Gettysburg Hugo authored the Official Records report on the Regiment’s action there. Hugo mustered out with the Regiment on 7/1/1864 only to re-enlist as a 1st Lieut. Co. G. 28th U. S. C. Troops on 11/12/1864. While in the service of the 70th N. Y. Vols. the regiment had seen action at such locations as the battles of Oak Grove, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale and Malvern Hill. They participated in action at Bristol Station, Groveton, Bull Run, Chantilly and the defense of Washington. Major Hugo’s Regiment participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg, the ’Mud March’, Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg, after which action was seen at such well known sites as Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, the ’Bloody Angle’, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor and others to include action before Petersburg. By the time of mustering out the 70th N.Y. Vols. lost 9 officers and 181 enlisted men killed with an additional 2 officers and 62 enlisted men lost by disease. By the time William Hugo had mustered out of the 70th and re-enlisted as a 1st Lt. of the 28th U. S. Colored Troops, that hard fought Black Regiment had seen considerable action of it’s own to include the campaign against Petersburg where the 28th lost nearly half its number killed and wounded at the ’Crater’. Strengthened by recruits and fresh officers of which 1st Lt. Hugo was one, the 28th USCT was called upon to assist in the operations against Richmond and would be one of the first organizations to enter that city after its fall. After a short stint guarding Confederate prisoners at City Point, the 28th proceeded for duty at Brazos Santiago and Corpus Christi, Texas where, by now, Regimental Adjutant William Hugo was mustered out with the 28th USCT on 11/8/1865. He would see subsequent Indian Wars service as an officer of U. S. Colored Troops first with the 25th Infantry (from 9/21/1866) with the majority of that service with the 9th Cavalry (1/1/1871 – 11/1/1881). In the period of 1866-1891 the 5,000 blacks or ’BUFFALO SOLDIERS’ as they were known served in the all-black 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments constituting approximately10% of the total troops who guarded the Western Frontier for a quarter century. As with the earlier Civil War service the history of Hugo’s regimental experience in the American West is be far too lengthy to cover here.
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3063
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Civil War era carved HORN WATCH CHAIN & TORTOISE 5th Corps DEVICE
Another wonderful period watch chain and fob from our personal accumulation of nearly forty years of gathering such jems, this obviously period watch chain measures approximately 14 inches in length and was hand cut from horn. The fob too is delicately hand cut but from tortoise shell and is in the form of the device of the hard fought 5th Army Corps of 20th Maine Infantry fame. We have photographed this piece with a period quarter for size comparison. As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased!
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3065
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Civil War era patriotic eagle - AMERICAN RAZOR
An especially nice item for the collector who appreciates an original period personal item that remains in nice condition yet shows good evidence of period use. This WADE & BUTCHER straight razor shows good evidence of careful period use with even wear from lots of stropping yet the heavy blade offers much original polish finish with an unblemished etched American Eagle with set in gold wash highlights. The baleen grips are smooth from period use but with some chewing as evidence of age and originality. A nice example of Sheffield cutlery made specifically for the American market.
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3066
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WATCH CHAIN & CARVED BONE - EAGLE FOB
A nice period watch chain and fob from our personal accumulation of nearly forty years of gathering such jems, this steel watch chain measures a full 26 inches and is set off by a beautifully detailed, carved bone, American Eagle fob (shown here with a period US quarter for size comparison). The natural bone eagle shows good age with an eye appealing smooth age patina and the chain remains in excellent serviceable condition. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3067
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SIGNED Civil War SURGEON CDV
All experienced collectors have felt the frustration of acquiring an especially nice signed photograph and not be able to decipher the signature close enough to match it to a record of service. Well this is what we have to pass on to a fellow researcher (except that by virtue of our illustration, all that enjoy the challenge of such activity will have an opportunity to hit the books and databases before putting down the cash). Presented to a Lt. of the Veteran Reserve Corps with the compliments of a Doctor, we have been unable to identify the recipient or the presenter. All else aside, this CDV really is a nice portrait of a Civil War Medical Service Officer. The mount and image remain in excellent condition and is backmarked by the photographer J. W, Black of Boston.
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3058
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Civil War era 6th plate THERMAL PLASTIC - UNION PHOTO CASE
A nice, all original thermal plastic (a.k.a. gutta percha) UNION photo case by S. PecK & Co. The case is for a 6th plate image (3.25 X 2.75 inches). Not perfect in that it does have an in obtrusive chip at two inside corners, the piece is otherwise in excellent condition and will make a nice companion for display of a good period tintype or ambrotype. Our illustration will do best to demonstrate the eye appeal of this attractive old case. As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased!
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3059
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late 1800’s / Spanish American War vintage hard rubber NAVY BUTTON
Our photos will do best to describe this American Hard Rubber Co. maker marked (A H R Co.) U. S. Navy enlisted coat button (Albert # NA138) please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!!
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3061
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1862 BRADY CDV - Lt. Morris - COMMANDER of the USS CUMBERLAND
This desirable portrait bears the printed title on it’s face: ’George U. Morris Lieut. Com’g CumberlandEntered according to the act of Congress in the year 1862 by M. Brady’.. The image remains in wonderful condition with sharp contrast and crisp focus. The early Civil War mark of the Brady, Washington studio appears on the back of a mount that has been trimmed with clipped corners but not so as to impact on the photograph. The subject, Lieut. Geo. U. Morris will be familiar to Civil War history enthusiasts as the young Union Navy Officer who was in command of the USS Cumberland when she was lost in action against the Confederate States Ship Virginia 1862 at the Battle of Hampton Roads on 3/8/1862. Though an older ship Lieut. Morris’s Cumberland had been altered to a fast-sailing corvette of 24 guns, one of which was a new rifled pivot gun that was considered particularly devastating. Morris and his crew were confident they would crush the lumbering Confederate ship’s heavy iron shield. As the Virginia steamed toward the Cumberland Lieut. Morris’s guns roared, scoring direct hits on the Virginia yet the Cumberland’s deadly shells only careened off the Confederate ironclad to harmlessly exploding in the air. The Virginia’s first strike though, smashed the starboard rail, killing or maiming nine marines aboard the Cumberland and the second shot exploded among the 16 men of the forward gun crew, killing all but two. The Cumberland's men were ultimately mowed down, leaving a bloody trail as the dead were removed and the wounded were carried below. As each gunner fell, another stepped up to take his place. After raking the Cumberland with it’s guns the iron clad Confederate war ship plowed directly into the wooden ship punching a huge hole in her at the water line. The Cumberland immediately began to sink. Of this action Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Wells reported ’ Lieutenant Morris and the gallant crew stood firm at their posts and delivered a parting fire.’ The Cumberland ’ wrote Wells. It was recorded that when the CSS Virginia hailed the sinking Cumberland demanding its surrender Morris yelled back ’No, damn you! I will never surrender!’ and his crew, some in water up to there knees, continued pouring round after round into the side of the Confederate ironclad. When the thick smoke of battle cleared, 121 of the 376 Union Navy crew were dead or missing with an estimate another 80 or more wounded. A desirable Matthew Brady photograph.
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3062
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GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD - RELIC BULLET
This battlefield pick-up, mini-ball is a nice early example of the turn of the century cottage industry built up by Civil War veterans and Gettysburg residents as they gathered remnants from the battleground and offered them for sale to the thousands of post Civil War battlefield visitors. Such relics as this bullet were gathered up and nicely mounted on small portions of battleground red cedar. As was the practice this piece is nicely labeled Gettysburg Pa. . Once quite common these little relics of the Gettysburg battlefield and mementoes of the aging veterans who brought them home from a family trip or Veteran Reunion at the site, are becoming more scarce with collectors eagerly seeking out the remaining examples. We have two of these acquired from an old collection and are offering them individually priced for the budding collector who would like a nice original Gettysburg item without spending lots of money. (Now that is a rarity!)
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3043
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Tally Farm DINNER PLATE - Chancellorsville
This china dinner plate marked ORLEANS, Z. S. & Co. / BAVARIA (c. 1880’s ) was purchased in 1963 from an elderly Talley family member from among items gleaned from the famous Chancellorsville Talley Farm home (a.k.a. Hatch House). Renowned among Civil War historians as the embattled old country farmhouse that served as headquarters to both Union and Confederate commanders during the battle of Chancellorsville, the early post Civil War history of the place with it’s Confederate veteran owner became nearly equally well known to visiting veterans of both Yank and Reb persuasion. After the war, farm owner James M. Talley who had served with the 9th Virginia Cavalry returned to his family farm where his presence became familiar to veterans as a battlefield guide. Active in preserving the history of the great battle and the part of his farm home, James Talley participated in marking some of the key sites. Before his death in 1905 and burial at Wilderness Church Cemetery across the turnpike from his famous farmhouse, Talley played host there to visitors that included Command Generals and high ranking officers from both North and South. Aside from James Talley himself one can only imagine which who from among visiting Union and Confederate Command and Staff veterans supped from the Talley family dinner set . please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!!
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3053
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hand crafted JACK STRAWS GAME
A nice example of a hand carved jack-straws or, as it was also known, pick up sticks game. Widely popular in the Civil War period both as a game to play and as a handcraft to while away long days in winter camp, examples of this type may be found in the best museum collections. (see: Gettysburg Visitor’s Center Civil War Museum collection, Museum of the Confederacy collection, Richmond and Time Life’s ECHOES OF GLORY – Arms & Equipment of the Union - &- ECHOES OF GLORY – Arms & Equipment of the Confederacy) This example contains 27 individual pieces each carved from southern pine and numbered reflecting the points gained for successful pick-up of that game piece without disturbing adjacent pieces. Game pieces are carved in all manner of tool and weapon shapes to include saws, an ax, grub hoe, spade, musket, sword, pike, artillery field piece rammer, pike and more to include a flagstaff with furled banner. The game pieces measure approximately 3 to 3 ¼ inches in length. A neat display item of interest to the folk art, game or Civil War era personal item enthusiast.
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3044
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late 1700s / early 1800s – BRASS FRAME SPECTACLES
This pair of early brass framed spectacles with hinged ribbon loop bows are in excellent all original condition and are untouched after decades of storage leaving a wonderful soft age patina. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3045
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Civil War issue Williams’ Pat. Self-Cleaning .58 cal. PAPER CARTRIDGE
A Civil War issue Williams’ Patent self cleaning .58 cal. rifle musket cartridge. All original and as issued just as we removed it from a long stored Maine soldier’s cartridge box nearly thirty-five years ago (those were the days!). Collectors will recognize this scarce blue paper cartridge as the one to a packet, issue cartridge fitted with the William’s Patent of 1862 bullet. Fitted with a zinc washer or wad at it’s base the thin zinc disk was designed to expand upon firing and scrape away excess black powder fouling as the bullet passed through the musket’s rifling. Not intended for constant use the Williams’ patent cartridges were wrapped in blue paper so as to differentiate them from the others and were issued only one to a packet. Interestingly enough the use of these self-cleaning bullets led to considerable controversy stemming from accusations that the Yankee intent was only that the zinc wads would cause more wound damage. Many believed that these bullets contained poison within them that would be carried to the blood stream by the slashing of the jagged zinc washers. This erroneous accusation persisted for some years after the Civil War. Excellent reference on this and others may be found in Dean Thomas’s excellent work ROUND BALL TO RIMFIRE – A History of Civil War Small Arms Ammunition. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3055
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1891 Illinois CIVIL WAR Vet’s / G.A.R. ENCAMPMENT MEDAL
All in fine, all original condition after decades of attic storage, this 1891 Illinois Grand Army of the Republic encampment delegate medal will be best described by our illustrations except to remind the viewer that the subject Civil War veteran is Dr. B. F. Stephenson, who served as surgeon to the 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and after the war founded the powerful G A R veteran organization.
A resident of Springfield, Illinois, Stephenson was commissioned as surgeon of the 11th Illinois Infantry on April 7. 1862 and was mustered out June 24, 1864. Dr. Stephenson founded the Grand Army of the Republic on April 6, 1866 and served as it’s first Commander in Chief. A good sized medal measuring 1 3/8 of an inch in diameter this piece will go well in any nice collection. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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3046
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Civil War Soldier Made CARVED BONE CHARM
Our photo illustration will do best do describe this lovely little carved bone basket charm ( Illustrated here with a Civil War vintage quarter for size comparison ). The old brown ink tag reads Made from beef bones by soldiers in the Civil War. Better quality work than most, this attractive little memento will go well on a fine period neck chain or just to set in with sewing or other period collectables. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best.
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