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"1863" Produced Wartime Signal Corps Flag, Made by Charles O. Eaton of Boston Massachusetts

VIVID "C. EATON/MASSACHUSETTS/1863" Maker's-Marking upon the Tie-Down Flag Edging

Per "Dictionary of American Military Goods Dealers & Makers 1785-1915", Charles O. Eaton was a Boston, Mass. Maker of "National & Regimental Colors & Guidons to Massachusetts & Vermont During the Civil War [through 1864]"

The Advancement of Civil War Communications via the Creation of a U.S. Signal Corps during the War, combined with Telegraphy, was INSTRUMENTAL in MANY BATTLES, as you will Read More Below!

Yes, sir...SHE'S THE "REAL DEAL"! Not only has it passed through the hands of multiple "BIG BUGS" to authenticate, the RARE maker-marking of Charles O. Eaton, a Boston, Massachusetts producer of "National & Regimental Colors [flags] & Guidons to Massachusetts & Vermont during the Civil War [only up to 1864]", per the "Dictionary of American Military Goods Dealers & Maker's 1785-1915" by Bazelon & McGuinn CONFIRMS that the "C. EATON/MASSACHUSETTS/1863" maker-marking upon the strap-edge of the flag is indeed a truly RARE U.S. Signal Corps flag utilized by some Massachusetts or Vermont Brigade, or other Division. The flag bears only the MOST MINOR "honest field wear", with some staining, virtually FREE of tears, NO MOTHING, and both sides with the large, red square in the middle of the white cotton field, with total measurements of 44" by 44" (give and take a little sag from flapping in the wind in the weather/elements!). The period construction being 100% correct, being that of machine-stitched panels to construct the flag, and under the fluorescent black-light test shows the material to be again, 100% WARTIME MATERIALS and CONSTRUCTION! These are indeed RARE flags to find, as most were simply discarded after the war--only Regimental and National Colors were so often kept because of their men's endearment to them, fighting, bleeding, and dying beneath their unit colors.

And that's a sad fact, given just HOW STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT these flags were during the War: but more importantly, how they began the real revolution into "modern" battlefield communications, whereby the SPEED with which vital up-to-the-moment battlefield and other vital communications could be passed between the Commanding Generals and the units in the field, making for far more effective and decisive decisions. As noted within the Time Life Series of the Civil War, the gentleman responsible for beginning this system of improving communications was a young physician, Dr. Albert J. Meyer. After graduating medical school in 1851, he enlisted in the U.S. Army medical corps, and was stationed out in the far west, with Indian fighting and constant surveillance and patrolling was being performed, in and amidst continual small clashes with warring indian tribes and parties. The Doc soon became more interested in a BETTER MEANS of communication (given the terrain of wide-open spaces in some parts of the west, and high mountain/hilltop peaks in others), that he devised a simple but effecting means of using this flag shown here, with a "wig-wag" system to communicate orders, information, intelligence, etc, over great distances, as messages via horse-back couriers was FAR SLOWER, and the rider in a combat situation, often could get lost, captured, or killed! It would be Albert Meyer summoned to Washington at the outbreak of the war in 1861, to set-up the new US Signal Corps and Training facility and Instruction Manuals in nearby Georgetown (see wartime picture below of Meyer and his staff at his instructional school/tower). Show below is a copy out of Meyer's original Manual of Signal Flags, showing some of the "wig-wag" methods using this flag. Albert was also charged with incorporating the new telegraphy science into the US Signal Corps, which worked often IN TANDEM with the signal flags, to allow for the FASTEST battlefield and campaign information acquisition and dispersement EVER SEEN IN WARFARE! It would be General Burnside at the Battle of Fredericksburg who would employ Meyer and his new US Signal Corps for the first time, using both flag-stations all along the battlefield, mixed with telegraph stations (all transported easily in their own Signal Corps wagons) throughout the battle. The usage of the US Signal Corps quickly spread throughout all Federal Armies, and a perfect example was the utilization of the branch of the US Signal Corps by General Sherman throughout the ENTIRE Atlanta Campaign--most notably and bloodily exemplified within the famous Battle of Atlanta (July 22, 1864 Confederate surprise flank attack) where the signal station set inside the Troup-Hurt house, with the these signal flags set atop a tall pine tree, were overran by the oncoming Confederates (see pic below!)

Their current appraised value of a NON-maker-marked original specimen is between $2500 and $3000.

100% Original & Classic Style, Higher Quality CS Arsenal-Produced Confederate Cartridge Box

Complete w/CS LARGE Single Tin Intact, Both Sling Buckles INTACT, and both Shoulder Sling Loops INTACT

Just From Charleston, SC Family, and CLEARLY shows where both a Cartridge Box Oval Plate, AND a Cartridge Box Round Plate were once Both Worn on This Cartridge Box (i.e., a Beautiful Palmetto Breastplate and a Gorgeous "SC" small Cartridge Box Oval Plate)

This is a MOST EXCELLENT, classically-made, archetypical Confederate Arsenal-produced 100% ORIGINAL cartridge box--and has even the original CS large single tin inside and BOTH sling buckles and the finial still solidly present! NO DAMAGE...NO REPAIRS!!! In fact, this is of a higher quality (which says a LOT when coming to your TYPICAL CS-made leather accouterments!), in that it is a true black and good-quality leather with un-buffed interior (to save time/labor, as typical for Confederate production for construction shortage of capacity/time/materials, etc), having again to SAVE material and time by being made WITHOUT belt loops (merely only to be used with shoulder sling), having a BEAUTIFUL but CS-cruder/style original BRASS finial. BOTH sling buckles are INTACT, BOTH of the shoulder sling loops at the top of the back are INTACT, and this Arsenal version was made WITHOUT belt loops (to conserve of raw materials, once again), both shoulder sling loops INTACT, and the simple, classic CS-made large SINGLE LARGE TIN inside (again, saving raw materials and time for construction) INTACT! I'll even throw in that non-dug breastplate for display if you want it, at no extra cost (and if you look at MANY CS original images of Confederate soldiers, or some CS cartridge boxes in museums, they did indeed sometimes put eagle breastplates on their cartridge boxes for "flair"! HOWEVER, being JUST BOUGHT in Charleston, and obviously once had a nice Palmetto oval plate, and even looks like an "SC" small oval cartridge box plate, this is a "Bonnie Blue" South Carolina SPECIAL!!!

As always--- IF you can find one as good, with original CS single-tin, BOTH sling buckles INTACT, BOTH shoulder sling loops intact, with CS finial INTACT---ANYWHERE near or lower than this price...GOOD LUCK! And let me know so I can go buy it!!!!

Spectacular Civil War (or Pre-War) Cadet Enfield-Style Musket, Bayonet, & Belt Rig

Complete with belt, cap box with ornamental brass oval attachment, original cadet belt buckle and keeper, bayonet scabbard and bayonet for the Enfield-style .44 caliber Cadet Musket. This phenomenal collection of pre-war or wartime Cadet gear came out of North Carolina, and was within the famous Bill Beard collection for years. The fantastic Enfield-style copied .44 caliber fully-functional, all-original, and complete musket is in very good + condition. It is still fully-functional in both positions, having all the original parts and pieces complete, right down to the ramrod, and a nice cloth and leather-ribbed sling. Being a Belgian-made miniature copy of the Enfield Rifle, you can see the clear and vivid Liege proof on the top of the barrel. No repairs or damage. The original bayonet fits well, and has it's own metal scabbard upon the original cadets belt rig. A cap box with ornamental brass oval attachment on the flap are with the rig. No ID, unfortunately, but if it came out of North Carolina, and BILL BEARD HIMSELF liked it enough to put it in his collection, you know it's gotta be good. So many Southern states had a plethora of military school across the South, who would give up her young sons to defend her soil to the bitter end. The boys would trade-in these small cadet muskets for the real death-wielding weapons, and employ them, and all their training, upon a thousand battlefields dotted across the Southland. The honing of their fighting skills would be executed in full fury from Virginia to Texas. No more parade-ground drills and inspections.

Really cool, rare to see grouping. It would make for a great conversation piece. I've got a copy of the letter of authenticity from Will Gorges and it's provenance through Bill Beard.

SWEET & RARE! Confederate Carbine Stock "Blank" from and for the Famous Dickson & Nelson (of Dawson, DA) Confederate Carbine/Musketoon

Original Letter of Authenticity from the Esteemed Mr. Rick Burton of "Carolina Collector's" Still With the Piece (Purchased by the Consignor back in 2008)

As Per the "Godfather" of Early Confederate Identification and Education, William A. Albaugh, these "blanks" were being sold at $1 per piece in the mid-1900's by the lumber company that took-over the Dickson & Nelson facility after the War (See and Read below)

Sure...we ALL would love to own a 100% complete, finished, all-original Dickson & Nelson Rifle or Carbine/Musketoon....but you'd have to spend the same amount for a fancy new car to get one! This is your chance to own a piece of Dickson & Nelson rifled carbine history....but for the price of a US plate! Purchased back in 2008 from the esteemed Mr. Rick Burton of "Carolina Collector's" by the consignor, here's YOUR chance to own that rare piece of Confederate history at a price you can afford! On page 85 of William Albaugh's and Edward Simmons' early seminole publication entitled "Confederate Arms", there is pictured one of these unfinished wood "blanks" that were left-over after the war...too late to be finished and furnished into the dying hands of the dying Confederacy. Formed in 1861 by William Dickson (a wealthy Alabama cotton planter), and partnered with Owen Nelson (Tuscumbia attorney), and even a Doctor from Leighton (Mr. Lewis Sadler), the "Shakanoosa Arms Company" was formed, and given the 1861 contract to produce rifles of the Model 1841 "Mississippi" style for the state of Alabama (See "Confederate Rifles & Muskets" by Murphy & Madaus for more great info!) Though starting in Alabama with their facility, they quickly had to move (while the factory was still under construction in 1862), as the further threats and penetrations by Federal armies forced them to relocate their operation to Rome, GA...but even then had to move several MORE times (from Adairseville, GA, to Macon, GA---FINALLY ending-up at Dawson, Georgia until the end of the war. It is only estimated that around 3600 of the rifles and carbines were ever produced. they are indeed among the "Holy Grail's" of Confederate Long Arms. But as detailed on page 85 (and pictured) of Albaugh & Simmon's "Confederate Arms" reference book, a lumber company bought the remains of the facility from the now defunct Dickson & Nelson company after the war....and has a small stockpile of THESE ORIGINAL UNFINISHED BLANKS through the early 1900's, when Albaugh (and others) were able to purchase these blanks at $1 EACH !!!!! Boy, don't you wish you could go back in time!?!

At any rate, it's an AFFORDABLE way for the "working man" like me to actually afford a 100% authentic and real piece of that Dickson and Nelson Confederate rifle/carbine history. Included is the original Letter of Authenticity from Mr. Burton, which shall accompany the piece to the next owner.

All for the price of a minty or maker-marked US plate?!?! This one is a NO-BRAINER in my book! How many US plates do you find compared to a Dickson & Nelson STOCK!?!?

ID'ed Exclusively to MAJOR Joseph T. Younger of the 48th Tennessee Infantry Regiment During the War

EXCELLENT Condition, w/Beautiful Outer Silk Band & Officer's Gold-Gilted Braided Hat Chord, PERFECT "UCV" Wreath Insignia, Inside Sweat-Band INTACT, w/Faded Silvered Maker's-Mark

Yeah, ol' Brian Akins has me "rebel-strutting" with UCV stuff now, too! (Yes, I got this one through Brian! He's the one who originally acquired the piece, and literally said it is one of the FINEST ID'ed UCV Officer's Slouch hats he's ever had...and said I shouldn't sell it for less than $2500!!!) Just like with their coats, kepis, pins, badges, and flags....I watch those old movies and look at those reunion pictures....and there's something so reverently sad and heart-warming at the same time when you look upon such items like this that they actually wore. And best of all, they only cost a FRACTION of what a WARTIME piece of Confederate uniform does--but with the SAME "killer" history!!! And does THIS OFFICER'S SLOUCH HAT have EVERYTHING going for it!!! Not only is it in exceptional condition, being ENTIRELY undamaged, no repairs, NO MOTHING or "critter-crunching" with this one, no staining, no apologies with EVERYTHING on this 100% original, intact, and just GORGEOUS to look at specimen...but it is 100% EXCLUSIVELY ID'ed to the Major in the 48th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Major Joseph T. Younger. He fought "to the bitter end" with the boys in the 48th, BLEEDING in MANY hard-fought battles with the Army of Tennessee. They fought at the GLORIOUS victory with Cleburne at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, losing 19% there alone. They would follow their victory with the hard fight the next month on October 8th, 1862 at Perryville, losing even MORE men in the Confederate assaults that pushed the Yankee's back over a mile and captured numerous Yankee cannon. But it would be at Chickamauga that the 48th Tennessee would literally lose 50% OF THE ENTIRE REGIMENT in Bragg's and the Army of Tennessee's greatest victory in the field. Joseph Younger actually began as a mere Lieutenant, but with such high casualty rates, was a Major in no time (a Major is 3rd in command of a Regiment of 10 Companies...a Lt. isn't even in command of a single company--the Captain is! So Lt. Younger clearly must have been an exceptional officer to jump through the ranks so fast--and with the help of a LOT of Yankee lead killing-off a lot of his superior officers!) He would survive the war, despite all the death and bloodshed of the 48th, receiving a pension, and belonging to the Tennessee UCV camp #177, just as the stenciling within the hat shows. The entire stenciling is 100% clear and legible, reading "J. T. YOUNGER UCV CAMP 177" upon the splendidly intact and excellent quality leather sweatband, which also bears the feint silvered maker's-mark ink-stamp. Just look at the many pictures below...this one is SO FINE, the pictures will do all the "selling" for me! Attached as well is the complete historical record of Major Joseph T. Younger, as well as the history of the 48th Tennessee.

Only the best...but I will go ahead and sell it less than Mr. Akins admonished me to....

EARLY/RARE Copy of the 1st National Pattern with 7 Stars (the stars being 4-pointed, 6 stars encircling 1 )

Is Truly a "Flag", with Top Sewn-Closed, Bottom Open and Shows Clear Usage as Being on a Flag Pole (Used while Riding Horseback on Parades)

Whenever I see pictures--and ESPECIALLY old film-footage of the old soldiers...white, thin, gaunt, hunched and hobbling....but with that old "fire" from their youth STILL in their EYES--I can't help but weep like a baby. I've attached a few pics below....but I've also attached a link to a very long, and EXCELLENT collection of original UCV footage....so get some tissues ready! When I see the Gettysburg 50th anniversary footage of those few CS vets, hobbling through the tall grass across the Pickett's Charge field--their hats and canes held high in the air, and old throats croaking the old "Rebel Yell"--I simply break-down and cry when they reach the fenceline where their once hated foe is nothing but the same old, hunched-over, grey, bewhiskered men who can barely stand...and they shake hands. Makes one wonder why we ever fought that damn war...or any war for that matter. If given enough time, they say, "Time heals all wounds...". Maybe if leaders of men and nations would watch such videos, there would be less hatred and war and death and violence. Oh well...

Offered here is a VERY RARE United Confederate Veterans PRE-1900 made Cavalry "Swallowtail" and regulation-size Guidon flag. It measures the appropriate size of 31" long and 13" high. It is a true "flag", being that the side is sewn closed at the top, and open at the bottom, allowing for a flagpole to easily slip into the side. It shows CLEAR usage as a flag on a flagpole, and only has the most minor--but TRUE wear/fading that PROVES is was truly used OUTSIDE in parades as the Kentucky Confederate Cavalry veteran flew with pride. This originally came with the Vets CAVALRY (yellow-trimmed) UCV uniform...I never had a chance to buy it, BUT IT GOT HIS FLAG as FAST AS I COULD GRAB IT before it, too, got SOLD! This flag is VERY RARE in several facets: first, in that you RARELY see UCV Cavalry flags, period! Second, this flag was produced before 1900 easily, thanks to the construction of simple cotton bunting, what appears as hand-sewn stars, and that is is NOT a "mass-produced" UCV flag that Pettibone and other mass-producers made and sold commercially...the ones made after 1900 and sold "mass-produced" were simple "stars and bars" or "3rd national" flags WITH GROMMETS. Clearly, this one was LOCALLY-PRODUCED, and rather crudely at that. From Brian Akins--WELL NOTED expert on UCV items--to others at the Dalton Show, ALL agree by the construction and the fact that it IS a RARELY-SEEN cavalry guidon, copying the VERY EARLY 1st national CS flag pattern of 7 stars (when the first 7 Southern states had seceded before Fort Sumter in early 1861), AND that the stars are 4-sided stars...there's no doubt about the FACT that this is an EARLY, RARE, and VERY UNIQUE UCV Confederate Cavalry Flag!

I mean not to taunt when I use my old "catch-phrases" of "good luck finding a better one cheaper, if you can find one at all...".

Sure, I wish it were the REAL 1861, 7-star, Kentucky Cavalry Confederate Guidon, as it would be worth tens of thousands of dollars! But as it is, it was still carried with the utmost pride, honor, respect, and reverence by the same Confederate soldier from 1861...except it was 20 or 30 years later. And you pay a FRACTION of the cost.

PRICED AS LOW AS A CHEAP COLT "POCKET" REVOLVER that over 280,00 were MADE....yet THIS UCV Confederate Cavalry Guidon from the late 1800's is as RARE and HISTORIC as they GET!

And if you REALLY want to see ORIGINAL Movie Footage of our Beloved and Revered "Boys in Grey", click on the link below...WARNING....get some tissues ready...no true SOUTHERNER will be able to watch this and NOT have hot tears well-up in his eyes...after watching these old Vets on film, it does make one wonder why we had to fight that damn war...

Spectacular, Representative Confederate "Common Soldier's" Grouping of Weapons & Accouterments

All Put Together from Several CS Collections Mr. Brian Akins of Rebel Relics Has Recently Acquired

EXCELLENT Fighting Knife & Scabbard from Renowned Bowie Knife Expert & Author, Mr. Bill Adams

Beautiful ALL-MATCHING (including wedge) JANUARY of 1861-made (when the SOUTH was busy BUYING Colt's after the Lincoln election, and as Secession was just beginning!) Colt Pocket Revolver, 100% Original, Complete, Fully-Functional

Archetypical Pre-War, Early-War M1858 Cartridge Box with Belt Loops, Finial, Closure Tap, Buckles Intact

Given my inability to travel to shows, travel to look at and acquire collections, etc (unfortunately, given our son's on-going cancer fight), my friend and colleague Mr. Brian Akin of Rebel Relics (www.rebelrelics.com) has been BUSY out BEATING THE BUSHES and getting ALL THE "REBEL TREASURE"! Now Brian's got ME doing the "REBEL STRUT"!!! He's picked-up multiple Confederate collections of all-ranging types and items, and I gleaned from him some "killer", representative Confederate pieces that I've put together to truly REPRESENT the "common Confederate soldier" in the field. Some people have visions of well-dressed, piping and gilting everywhere, state seal buttons and plates, "regulation" in appearance and issue....but that truly more the exception than the rule, as the PLETHORA of existing images of Confederate soldiers prove (see below). And given the South's lack of proper raw materials, production capacity, skilled labor, and logistical capabilities, your "common" Confederate soldier often had to equip himself--especially at the beginning of the war. COMMON was the shotgun or home-brought musket and revolver, with simple "roller buckle" for his belt, and his ever-present fighting knife of some kind tucked in his roller buckle belt. Even the Confederate arsenals had to conserve their resources and raw materials and produced roller buckle belts--simple to make, easy and fast to make, small and using minimal materials, they were STAPLE issued items. Again...just look at the images of enough Confederates, and you'll see at least 1/3rd have roller-buckle/civilian-style belts!

To start describing the collection is with the GORGEOUS, classic Johnny Roller-Buckle belt, made of russet/brown leather, with only the most minor true service wear, and NO rips and NO REPAIRS. It has the tooled edging to the belt, as is typically seen on CS specimens (refer to Shannon Pritchard's outstanding Confederate reference book Collecting the Confederacy). The leather is still so very supple, and if you look at the multiple original CS images I put below for you to look at, there are MULTIPLE IDENTICAL roller-buckle belt rigs on those Johnnies...just like THIS ONE! The JANUARY 1861 production Model 1849 Colt Pocket Revolver is in equally beautiful, complete, original, undamaged condition, being 100% FULLY-FUNCTIONAL, bearing ALL-MATCHING (including the wedge) serial number of 188972. This was made when the South--after the Lincoln November 1860 election--sealed the fate of the inevitable beginning of the Southern states seceding from the Union. They were buying Colt Pocket's and Navy's as fast as they could! (As well as all other types of weapons, uniforms, accouterments, etc, preparing for the "upcoming storm" that would finally erupt at Fort Sumter...and years beyond...). Arguably within the collecting arena, these are the most desirable production-dated Colt's, given this history of when they were made and being sold South during those heady days of secession and turmoil of our country "coming apart"! The Colt Address atop the barrel is CRISP and CLEAR, as is the "COLTS PATENT" on the side of the frame, and all those matching serial numbers...and as crisp as the fully-functional action! GORGEOUS original finish on the UNDAMAGED, UN-CHIPPED, and UN-CRACKED walnut grips, and wonderful faded-blued hue patina to the metal. What came with the Colt revolver is yet another brown/russet leather NOT FEDERAL or US-MADE holster that can only fit a Colt Pocket revolver! And as you can see in the many pictures below, this revolver has been in that holster since at least 1865, because the leather has formed around the contour and shape of that Colt! It, too, bears ALL the classic Confederate traits--brown/russet leather construction, the tooled (lined) edging, simple finial (not your "regulation" finial), and that Johnny Reb SMALL and THIN belt loop that ONLY a small belt LIKE A ROLLER BUCKLE BELT CAN ONLY FIT! No US REGULATION belt of any kind could it fit on...they are too wide...but this roller buckle is PERFECT FITTING! The fighting knife & scabbard Mr. Akins bought from the renowned expert and author on Confederate blades, fighting knives, and D-Guards, Mr. Bill Adams, author of his book The Antique Bowie Knife Book, while Brian and he were at the November Richmond Relic Show. The knife and scabbard measure a total length of exactly 13" long, the knife blade measuring exactly 7" long. The excellent large and tooled/lined wooden handle is completely UNDAMAGED and just beautiful, having a simple brass "T" guard. The blade is TIGHT and UNSHARPENED (well, at least no modern sharpening...the last Johnny to have it surely did! Can't cut with a dull knife!) The brown/russet leather scabbard is equally fine, being all-original, no damage, with a BEAUTIFUL brass floral inlay! The M1850 cartridge box is just another "representative" pre-war or early-war produced piece, that Johnny Reb carried by the hundreds of thousands. It, too, is 100% intact, undamaged, having both belt loops firmly intact as well as the closure tab and finial, and both sling buckles, too! The once "US" boxplate is long-gone, as is also typical of Johnny Reb...he'd rid himself of those hated letters "US", or use that meaningless plate for other uses.

Again, put all together, and you can see--comparing to the original Confederate images (several shown below), why this TRULY IS a REPRESENTATIVE example of weapons and accouterments that the REAL, COMMON Confederate soldier wore. Once I bought all this REBEL PLUNDER from Brian and unpacked it, I figured it looked so good together (and I don't have the time to list individually for sale!), that if I like it, someone else out there would like this Johnny Reb ensemble, too!! IF it had come all together from some family with some ID'ed provenance, it would cost you THOUSANDS MORE! Here's your chance for a display-ready ensemble...all you got to do is put it around an original or reproduction CS coat on a mannequin! CS Roller Buckle Belt prices START at around $1000 and UP, alone! Throw-in the fine Colt revolver and holster (January 1861 production!), a Bill Adams once-owned fighting knife and scabbard, and cartridge box, and you'll pay WAY more to buy them individually that priced here together! And yes...THIS IS "REBEL RELIC PRICED!" (Thanks, Brian! Thanks for sharing the REBEL PLUNDER....wish I could be out there with you to "plunder" these kinds of goodies, myself!)

Just look anywhere at surviving Confederate images, and you'll see Roller-Buckle belts EVERYWHERE...this is just a FRACTION of the many I could show you!

Outstanding Illinois Officer's ID'ed grouping, coming directly from the granddaughter's attic in the 1980's (acquired and originally sold through Mr. Larry Hicklen in 1992), this grouping has been in my great friend (and on of the BEST adult Oncologists in this country) collection for many years now. But it is now available again to the open market. Lt. Melchi Grove enlisted into Company E of the 86th Illinois Infantry Regiment on August 14th, 1862 as 1st Lt of the Company. He would fight at Perryville, Kentucky later that fall, and would succumb to chronic diarrhea (as is listed on an original Department of the Interior Pension Office Document included with this collection, as well as many other papers) from the October 9th battle. This chronic problem was so bad that he had to be discharged from active duty on the 13th of January in 1863. Included amongst the many papers is even the hand-written testimony of his personal physician in 1863 back home in Illinois, describing his clear chronic diarrhea, he being "much reduced in flesh and strength, and appeared to be suffering also from over-medication..." (hand-written affidavit submitted in 1875 to Pension Department). He lived in Peoria County, but was originally from Ohio, marrying Amelia Clemmer on February 8th, 1842, who bore him 8 children (all listed in other documentation included). All of this documentation and affidavit work was for an increase of his service pension for his disability, to which he did receive. Though I do not have his date of death, I know he died before his beloved wife Amelia, as we have the January 29th, 1915 Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions record of her death on November 3, 1914, and thus the pension she had collected from him was terminated. There is a wonderful post-war, late-life sketch-image of Lt. Grove and his wife Amelia that accompany this collection as well.

The items are in splendid condition, ESPECIALLY the FINE condition Colt M1849 Pocket Revolver, and exquisitely etched and gorgeous Klingenthal-imported Foot Officer M1850 Sword and original leather scabbard. Everything is 100% COMPLETE, 100% ORIGINAL, 100% UNTOUCHED, and 100% gorgeous. The Colt is a Flayderman's/NRA "FINE" rated condition specimen, bearing all original parts, all-matching serial numbers 105702 ( a pre-war 1855 production specimen), with KNEE-DEEP markings everywhere--ESPECIALLY the crisp and vivid cylinder scene that will knock your socks off (just look at the MANY fine close-up picture below of the entire cylinder scene!) Fully-functional, of course, and not missing any parts, no replacement pieces, no damage nor repairs. Excellent weapon. The fantastic 100% complete, original wire and sharkskin-wrapped M1850 Klingenthal FINE imported Foot Officer's sword with it's INTACT original leather scabbard with brass mounts is truly beautiful. The fine etching is about as vivid and clear today as the day it was made (look at all the crystal-clear close-up pics I took of the etching on both sides of the blade below). NO DAMAGE---NO REPAIRS--NO WEAR or worn-out spots on the grip--just perfect, just like the nick-free blade. The Klingenthal maker's marking is crystal-clear upon the spine of the blade--even the original throat washer is present! The original holster still has solid stitching on the sides, with supple, beautiful black leather. The original brass finial is present, though is coming slightly loose, and there is a tear where the finial attachment hole was--but no biggie at all.

Simply SPECTACULAR! True, he only fought in one battle--that of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8th, 1862, the 86th Illinois was in the thick of the fight, near the Bottom House and "Bloody Sink Hole". And Lt. Grove was there...with these armaments of war for his service...

ULTRA-RARE CS Arsenal-Made Cartridge Box ID'ed To Private Wayne Franch of Tennessee

Pvt. Franch Enlisted May 18, 1861 into McClung's TN Light Artillery, Then Transferred into the 13th TN Cavalry in 1862, Fighting With Forrest, Until Finally Being Personally Exchanged by His Captain into the 8th Tennessee Infantry by the End of the War

Classic CS Arsenal-Made Construction, Lead Finial, Roller Buckles, & Remnants of Cotton Shoulder Strap

Reams of Historical Archives to Accompany this Supremely Rare ID'ed Southern Cartridge Box

Now this is more like it! How many surviving Confederate-made cartridge boxes do you EVER SEE? I mean, seriously...how many? And out of those, how many do you find ID'ed TO THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER!?!? And this old boy fought the entire war, and had quite a career racked-up by the end, starting in the artillery service, transferring over to cavalry fighting under Nathan Bedford Forrest himself, and then at last, going to foot as an infantryman. Boy, the stories Private Wayne Franch would tell his children and grandchildren for generations to come!!! Don't you wish you could have been there to hear them...we can only imagine the tales of close-calls, long rides and marches, endless cold nights and hot days, thirst and famine, or fire and fury of whistling lead and iron raining in battle...THAT is the POWER of these kinds of unworldly rare ID'ed Confederate items. To KNOW that he reached into this very cartridge box--filled time and time again with hundreds upon hundreds of rounds of ammunition to fire at his hated foe in blue--is what makes history REAL.

This specimen has all the hallmark, archetypical CS-made traits--the cruder form, leather, roller buckle (one remaining--other is missing), cruder stitching, classic lead finial, and the very simple cotton sling remnants for the shoulder straps. There are two thin, small belt loops on the back, as would be regulation, but more classically "Confederate" in form and stitching. Upon the outer flap, the clear hand-carving of "W. FRANCH" with another set of "W F" underneath, with a clear diamond-like symbol that when you look close enough, you recognize as the Masonic emblem. Given that so many men were Masons in that era, this is not uncommon, and he was proud to bear his brotherhood in the society. The leather is still extremely supple all over and very well intact, though obviously the cruder construction and quality of leather is evident on the inside inner flaps for the inner compartments (very thin leather). No cartridge box tins remain. The one belt loop and leather attachment remains underneath, with the leather attachment having a good foot and a half of the original cotton webbing for the shoulder strap. The South had to conserve their leather usage as much as possible--and they had PLENTY of cotton--thus, more and more cotton usage went into construction of once all-leather accouterments...until eventually, large CS depots like the Columbus, GA depot would make entire cartridge boxes, belts, and cap boxes ENTIRELY out of cotton webbing that would be tarred for weather-proofing.

Private Wayne Franch enlisted early in the War to fight to defend his home and sacred Tennessee soil, joining McClung's Tennessee battery on May 18th, 1861 (see muster rolls below). At some point in early 1862 (as shown by the Muster Rolls below), we know he was then transferred into the 13th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, showing up on records through November, riding and fighting with Forrest's most famous saddlemen, as shown by research done by William Floyd (ancestor of Brig. Gen'l John Floyd, CSA), that Wayne Franch enlisted with his horse into the 13th TN Cavalry, and fight with Forrest there. By November 27th, 1862, it is shown that he appears to have been transferred into the 8th Tennessee Infantry. Clearly, Wayne Franch participated in such battles as Neely's Bend, Murfreesboro, the Tullahoma Campaign, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, and the final bitter end in the Carolina's where he was paroled.

And through all those thousands of miles marched....battles fought...blood, sweat, and tears...we have his Confederate-made cartridge box that "lives on" to tell his story...HIS history.

I can only imagine how many hundreds--if not THOUSANDS of rounds of lead Minnie' Ball cartridges Wayne pulled from this cartridge box to shoot-down his hated foe in blue???

Excellent ID'ed CS "Gardner" Pattern Wood Drum Canteen

From the Director of The Fort Polk US Army Museum, Director Fred Adolphus

"JSM" Soldier Initials, and "LSM" Carved Into Canteen

Provenance to John M. Sadler, 19th Louisiana Infantry Regiment

KIA at Battle of Chickamauga

Complete with Original Copies of his Service Muster Rolls, Records, & Regimental History

Has Period Strap (Appears to be US Canteen Strap Utilized) & CS Tin-Drum Canteen Spout Added for Spout

Private Sadler Enlisted May 1st, 1862, at Corinth, Mississippi, into Company A

Yet another literal "museum-quality" piece--and another piece of irreplaceable history that speaks VOLUMES merely by looking at it, and letting it tell it's own history from that long-ago, tragic, and watershed period in our young country's history--momentously changing us forever...affecting us yet today. This absolutely gorgeous, 100% "righteous" Confederate cedar wood wood-drum canteen (known as a "Gardner" pattern) is 100% original, solidly intact, and exhibiting all the perfect attributes and qualities representative to this archetypical CS exclusively manufactured and used canteen. Measuring 7.5" in diameter, and 2.25" wide, it is of the most common size seen produced by the Confederacy (made throughout the east and deep south). [As a side note, when I was a "hardcore" authentic reenactor, I had really taken a keep, in-depth interest into CS wood drum "Gardner" canteens, to which they are so fascinating and beautiful in their own right. You also learn how to tell the FAKES and other older/later, or other pieces made in other countries that people try to pass-off as Confederate--it's really sad. But knowledge, as always, is power!) Inside, you can see the lathe dimples where these cedar drum blanks were finished in the lathe smoothing process, and even on the outside, the clear circular lathing marks are evident. All three sling mounts solidly present, of course.

This piece is truly--yet again--another "museum quality" piece...given that it is coming from the personal collection of Fred Adolphus, Museum Director to the US Army Fort Polk Museum!!!! He hates to let it go, but it's time to let this beauty out for someone else to love for some years--he's ready to use the cash to acquire even more "goodies"!

What's so unique to the canteen starts with the spout--and ends with the incredible Louisiana provenance...forever stained with blood upon a hillside far from his home. Director Fred Adolphus originally acquired this specimen back in 1998 from none-other than the highly recognized and internationally respected Confederate relics dealer, Will Gorges, and comes with full "blessing," obviously. The spout is that of a CS tin-drum canteen spout that was clearly utilized to fit as the spout for this piece. Most Gardner pattern canteens had wooden simple insert spouts, and almost always they broke-off and end up missing on surviving specimens. Notoriously so, the thin and poorly constructed tin-drum canteens often came apart and formed poor seals, and thus often got discarded. This appears to be a situation where in camp that the Louisiana soldier lost his spout, needing a replacement, and one of his mates had a tin-drum canteen ready to pitch with leaks or broken seals, and thus this Gardner got a new spout from a tin drum ready to be trashed! Pretty cool! You can remove the spout assembly from under the tin banding (VERY CAREFULLY), and see the decades of real wear, shadowing, tin oxidation bleeding into the wood, etc, that prove this wasn't some "monkey-job" slapped together a few years or decades ago. All appears 100% legit. The strap upon this piece also appears to be a more typical Federal-style canteen strap--typical field replacement job where Johnny utilized whatever he could find when his old chincy strap gave-out. Rust bleeding around the three canteen strap loops are wonderfully present.

But clearly what's best of all with this piece is the provenance: there is a clear "JMS" carved largely into the face of the canteen. Beneath that is a very interesting and somewhat "encrypted" grouping of markings. As you can tell, this poor boy (Cajun or whatever French descent he was) couldn't write well (the "S" being backwards). In the heart/middle of the canteen are the letters--written backwards--"E.F." followed by "LSM" (written clearly and correctly) and then another backwards "E" and some illegible letter or number. But one thing is for sure, we know what "LSM" stands for! Louisiana was always most proud of their pre-war militia units--so many of so much fame, even unto this day--and as war loomed and suddenly broke-out, there were literally over 100 different "militia" or other "Guard" troops formed all over the state. Obviously, as organization with the central Confederate government took hold by the summer and fall of 1861, these small individual militia units, guards, "avengers", etc, became encompassed into regular state Infantry units for Confederate service. But the soldiers still adored their original heritage and distinction. Running through the National archives, only one soldier from Louisiana had the initials "JMS". He was John M. Sadler, of Company A, 19th Louisiana. Officially mustering into service with the regiment at Corinth, MS on May 1st, 1862 (where Bragg had the Army of Mississippi stationed at the time), John first signed for 12-months of duty, but the following year he volunteered for "3 years or the war...".. This documentation can be seen below on the original copies of his muster roll information from the National Archives, as well as unit history. He hailed from Bossier, Louisiana when he left home to fight the Yankees. He would meet his fate on September 20th, 1863, where the only Confederate true total victory on the battlefield in the west was achieved....at Chickamauga. John and his regiment--within Adam's Brigade--would be a part of the massive US left-flank assault to "bag" the Yankee's who desperately clung to Snodgrass Hill. Somewhere between the MacDonald Farm and the base of Snodgrass Hill, he was killed. Though they victoriously charged into Beatty's Union Brigade, made it break and run for protection atop Snodgrass, the human waves of butternut-clad warriors that tried time and time again to take Snodgrass was like an angry ocean beating waves against the rocks--with dead Confederates left in the flotsam. John was among the human wreckage that day, and is buried somewhere unknown upon the field this very day.

Real Confederate history. Priced below what just a plain Gardner canteen with strap and spout alone would cost you, you get all the history of sacrifice and devotion to one's countrymen included.

Now you see why it REALLY IS "Museum Quality"....

SOLD

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

John Sadler met his end--giving all for his beloved South--near the McDonald Farm--

charging Beatty's men, Breaking them, and trying to "bag" the Yankee's on Snodgrass Hill

Original Pieces of Planks from the Infamous Isaac Robert's House on the Champion Hill Battlefield

Here are some true remnants of history--cut pieces of outer planking from the walls of the Isaac Roberts House on the Champion Hill Battlefield. The I. Roberts House was utilized as General Pemberton's (CS) Headquarters during the battle, as well as the main Confederate hospital. Many a fine and brave Southern soldier lamented and died within these walls, and were buried in mass graves behind the house. General Grant and his son (who traveled with him on the Campaign) visited the house--and their dying foe within--the night after the battle. Several shells tore through the house, and minnie' balls pocked the walls. Up until the early 1980's, this house was still standing. As with most historic structures, it was left to rot. Dan Patterson was smart enough to save what remaining good planks were left in the rotting heap of house. Some have the old whitewash on them, and some even have the original square nails in them. I have 12 pieces for sale of varying sizes (most around 8" by 10").