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This beautiful bright red wool identified blanket remains in pleasing condition with no major faults but with god evidence of period use. It is offered with a companion M1851 sword belt plate both used by Capt. John M. Durgin Co. B 12th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. Acquired from a direct descendant who inherited several mementoes of Capt. Durgin, the blanket and belt plate will come with what the new owner will agree offers solid provenance. The blanket and officers eagle plate represent all that was made available to us and will come with the following as provenance: *The name and currant address of the descendant at the time the group was acquired. * A letter attesting to purchase of the relics from the descendant. (The author of this letter is a knowledgeable / reputable collector well known to us for many years.) * A photo of the descendant’s sitting room mantle with Durgin’s sword and oil portrait. * A copy of an erroneous period news report of Dirgin’s death on the field at Chancellorsville. * Our own letter attesting to the fact that the this blanket and plate was aquired with the afore mentioned provenance. *
The cot size blanket measures approximately 64 x 72 and remains in excellent condition after decades of careful storage. (While it will take some further research our historic textile collector felt the blanket was originally of Mexican War issue and that such were purchased from surplus by the state of New Hampshire for re-issue during the Civil War.)
A Free Baptist Minister who studies at a Parsonsfield (Me.) Seminary. John Milton Durgin was ordained in 1838 with his first church located in Gray, Me., 1840-2. A resident of Gilmanton NH Rev. Durgin enlisted as a member of the 12 NHV Aug. 14, 1862 and was commissioned 1st lieutenant, Company B, Sept. 8. He was promoted to captain, Co. H, May 4, 1863 and transferred to the Invalid Corps, Jan. 25, 1864. Known to his fellow soldiers and to history as The Fighting Parson (see: American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men by F. A. Barnard) Shot through the body by a minie ball at Chancellorsville, the Fighting Preacher lay on the field left for dead for three days without food, shelter, or medical aid. It was recorded that but for the Masonic sign of distress to a Confederate officer, his body would soon have been buried beneath the soil. That sign brought water, and saved his life. A Confederate ball had passed directly through him, between the lower lobe of the left lung and the diaphragm. Within six months after he was reported dead, Durgin reported for duty rejoining the 12th NHV at Point Lookout. Despite his willingness Durgin was deemed unfit for camp or field duty and was sent back to Concord on recruiting service. It was as a result of this incident that the local paper carried a mistaken report on the death of the gutsy Fighting Parson. Upon recovery of his wounds Durgin was commissioned as Capt. Co. C, 22nd Veteran Reserve Corps. On 5/27/1864 he transferred to the 10th VRC. He was discharged on 11/23/1865. (see: Asa W. Bartlett History of the Twelfth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion) An outstanding offering. 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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