The rarest of artillery artifacts of the American Civil War. From the estate of William Foskit of Monson, MA, Company G, 46th Massachusetts Infantry. Foskit's estate contained three examples of this rare artillery artifact. Only three Whitworth cartridge cases wre know to exist before these were purchased - one in a museum in Georgia, one in a museum in Virginia, and an excavated example in private hands, found many years ago by Stanley Phillips.

The Whitworth cannon cartridges were loaded with rifle powder and sealed with beeswax lubricating wads. The cartridge case was inserted into the breech behind the hexagonal projectile and provided an effective gas seal. Made of sheet iron, the catridge was shaped to fit the hexagonal bore. After firing it was extricated with a special tool. If used as a muzzle-loader, the case was enclosed in a cloth bag.

The cartridge was handmade on an anvil with the hammer marks visible. Measures 9 1/4" tall, and 2 7/8" in diameter at the base. Excellent condition. Comes with a small container of the original rifle powder.

(M18439) $5,500.00

This fine, presentation wooden artifact, known as a 'swagger stick', was crafted from a section of a tree that grew on the Gettysburg battlefield. Presented in 1906 to Gettysburg-wounded veteran Diogenus D. Chase of the 157th New York Infantry, this short, presentation 'swagger stick' is a wonderful personal memorial to the soldier and serves as a symbol of authority in military circles.

Diogenus Chase was a nineteen year-old young man from Morrisville when he enlisted in the army as a private on August 26, 1862 at Eaton, New York. Chase mustered into Company "F", 157th Regiment, New York Volunteers on September 19, 1862 and served until mustered out on January 1, 1865. During his military service, Private Chase experienced a number of battle experiences but none was more harrowing than his time at the Battle of Gettysburg. The young soldier was with his regiment when he was severely wounded in action on July 1, 1863. The 157th NY regiment was on the fields north of the town adjacent to the Carlisle Pike in line near Captain Dilger's 1st Ohio Light Battery. During an artillery duel early in the afternoon, Private Chase was wounded with a projectile that passed completely through his body. He was left for dead on the battlefield and remained where he fell until 4PM of the second day when he was removed from that exposed position by passing rebel soldiers. The soldier was on the field for four days before he was moved to a corps hospital. Chase survived and remained in the army with the Veteran Reserve Corp until his discharge. Chase returned home, took up the study of medicine and graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City in 1869. Young Dr. Chase went on to become a leading citizen held in high regard in the community and in the GAR post at Morrisville.

Swagger sticks ('short sticks') were most often carried by uniformed military authority, usually commissioned officers and / or senior non-commissioned enlisted men, who used the 'stick' to direct military drill and maneuvers or to administer physical punishment. Normally placed under the right arm pit with the uplifted hand holding on to the stick's end, the swagger stick was used to keep the officers from putting their hands into their uniform pockets. This inscribed 'swagger stick' was presented to former army private Diogenus Chase in 1906 some forty-three years after his Gettysburg service and for his subsequent dedication to the call of medicine. In outstanding original condition, this cylindrical and tapered artifact likely crafted from a tree limb is a handsome specimen of finished oak that appears to have been coated with a clear varnish or sealer. Device measures 15 7/8" long and has a ¾" diameter at one end with a ¼" wide tip.

Trimmed with two, fine german-silver ferrules at each end of the swagger stick, one of which displays a jeweler-engraved inscription that states "From tree grown / upon the battlefield of / Gettysburg, Pa. Fought / July 1, 2, 3, 1863. / Presented by / Julius M. to / Diogenus D. Chase, / Co. F. 157th Reg. N. Y. Vols. / July 27, 1906. / 1863 Testis in Cello et pace 1906". The top cap of this ferrule, which is slightly loose, also displays engraved initials of "D D C" in old English script form. Both ferrules are secured to the wooden stick via tiny brads. Specimen is in excellent condition with no cracks or splits of markings on the wood. Just slight scuffing to the scattered spots on the surface.

Still in its original, brown pasteboard case, this artifact is a very fine example of an identified swagger stick inscribed and dedicated to a Gettysburg-wounded soldier from New York State.

(534-01) ORIGINALLY $2,500.00
REDUCED TO $2,100.00

This is a 2 1/2 inch x 3 ¼ inch album with 40 gem size tintypes (1" x ¾") all identified to Company C of the 19th Wisconsin Infantry. All the images are in military uniforms and some with slouch hats and kepis.

Under each gem is written the name of the soldier, some in ink and some in pencil. The identified soldiers are:

This album features 46 photographs, to include three in military uniform. Included is Dr. John E. Parsons who enlisted on September 15th 1862 as an assistant surgeon in the US Army Medical Department at the age of 27. Parsons later served in the 28th Massachusetts Infantry, resigning in July 1863 and resuming wartime service in the US Navy Medical Department from October 1863 until December 1866. Album contains three CDVs of Dr. Parsons, a beautiful full standing image in double-breasted frock coat, cap, and naval officer's sword. The second Dr. Parsons CDV is a bust view in double-breasted frock coat bearing the rank of first lieutenant. The third CDV is Dr. Parsons in distinguished civilian attire. Military CDVs have Charlestown, Massachusetts backmarks. He is identified by period pencil ID. Dr. Parsons' military service is described in the American Civil War database and the General Navy Register.

The other military CDV in the album is a waist-up view of a young, bearded naval officer. He wears a double-breasted frock coat with naval rank resembling that of a Commander. This is possibly the image of George W. Hatch, acting assistant surgeon in the US Navy from May 1863 through March 1865. CDV has no identification; however, the subject bears resemblance to a tintype in the album identified as Surgeon George W. Hatch. The CDV has fine clarity and a Frederick and Law of New York backmark.

Additional images of interest include a full standing view of a gentleman who is clearly missing his lower left arm! Another CDV features the full standing image of Demetrios L. Sakellarios, identified on the back in period ink. Sakellarios is dressed in traditional Greek attire, to include a fez, decoratively embroidered jacket, and white skirt. Sakellarios served as a missionary in Greece from 1876-1882. On the back of the CDV he wrote Proverbs 7:4 in Greek, "He also taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments and live." Backmark is Black and Case of Boston.

The remaining photographs include nine tintypes, to include three thumbnail tintypes. Twelve individuals are identified in period pencil on the album's pages. Photographs are in excellent condition and feature individuals in a variety of poses. Individuals are well-attired and are captured with superb detail.

Album measures 4 ½" by 6", cover is an embossed Victorian pattern in purple velvet. Binding is faded white and has moderate fraying at the top and bottom ¼ inch of the album. Binding is well intact, pages are in very fine condition with only three pages having small tears below the photographs.

A fine Civil War family album with diverse historical interest!

(P12084) $550.00