This group of items belonged to Corporal William H. Lyman of Company K, 16^th Massachusetts. Items from William and his brother Edward, who served in the same Company, were originally framed together. Unfortunately the lot did not sell so we have divided the ID and common items into separate lots.

This lot includes the following:

1. Large red and white silk handkerchief with a wonderful handwritten tag in period ink that reads “HANDKERCHIEF- CARRIED DURING THE CIVIL WAR BY WILLIAM H. LYMAN CO. K 16^TH REGT.” The item is in fair condition with several stress separations, light surface dirt and some fading.

2. Nearly full length seated tintype of William in uniform. He wears a dark forage cap and frock coat with trousers that are tinted sky-blue. A US flag with a lightly tinted blue field is draped over the table next to him and in his lap he holds what looks to be a pocket Colt. Behind him is a painted backdrop of a camp with a mounted figure. Image has good clarity and contrast and light surface dirt.

3. Small leather wallet with the company letter “K” attached to the outer flap. The letter is of white metal and is approx. 0.50 inch size which is consistent with letters used on a soldier’s forage cap. Outer flap is detached from body of wallet. When opened the wallet has three accordion like pockets, one of which holds a torn and much worn 15 cent note from Grayson County, Virginia. Other interior areas of the wallet are marked with gold ink for “CARDS” and “POSTAGE STAMPS.”

4. Small plain wooden ring with crack at bottom.

5. A well-worn piece of fractional currency from Patrick County, Virginia

6. Small English coin with worn surfaces and a small hole punched on one edge. Bust of Queen Victoria on obverse. Reverse has laurel wreath and 1858 date.

7. CDV – Cartoon sketch of a tent w/”HD QRS CSA” – Union soldiers outside with Mrs. Davis at tent’s flap. Below is a caption that reads “MRS. DAVIS: Please Gentlemen do not disturb. The privacy of Ladies before they are dressed” CORP: “We’ll wait marm Put on your duds” 1865. Refers to Jeff Davis’ trying to escape dressed as a woman.

8. Leather bound 1860 dated pocket testament with period pencil inscription that reads “WM. H. LYMAN / 16^TH RIG M. V. / WATERTOWN, MASS. LISTED APRIL THE 19^TH 1861.” Leather cover was attached upside down when originally made.

William Lyman was a 23 year old carpenter when he enlisted as a Private in Company K, 16^th Massachusetts Infantry on July 2, 1861 in Cambridge, MA. He was present with his until through Jan. 1, 1863 when he was promoted to Corporal. He served with his Company until April 26, 1863 when he was sent to the regimental hospital and on the 28^th forwarded to a general hospital. His illness was listed as “Malarial poisoning while serving in the Peninsular Campaign in May 1862.” He would not return to duty until December 10, 1863. On May 24, 1864 Lyman reduced to the ranks and on the 31^st he was back in the hospital. Lyman was returned to duty on July 2, 1864 and was mustered out on July 27, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service.

While with his regiment Lyman saw action at Fair Oaks, Oak Grove, Glendale, 2^nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Wilderness and Spotsylvania.

The 16^th Massachusetts served with the 3^rd and 2^nd Corps of the Army of the Potomac and lost during its service 16 Officers and 134 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 93 Enlisted men by disease for a total of 245.

After the war William Lyman returned to Watertown, Massachusetts where he married in 1870 and as far as is known had one son. He was an active member in the GAR being a member of three different Posts. The Joseph Hooker Post # 23 in east Boston, the P. Sterns Davis Post # 57 of East Cambridge and the Francis Washburn Post #92 in Brighton.

Lyman died on May 5, 1911 and is buried in Newton Cemetery, Newton, Massachusetts.

Military and pension records from the National Archives come with items.  [AD]

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