The items in this group belonged to John Doudican, also known as John Dow, who served as a Private in Company K, 14^th New Jersey Infantry.

The first item is an eagle masthead discharge filled out to John Doudican dated June 18, 1865. The document is filled out in ink and signed at the bottom by Private Doudican’s Company Commander Captain John L. Manning and by Brevet Major J. Robinson of the 3^rd Division, 6^th Corps. Two Treasury Department stamps flank the eagle at top center. Document has browned with age but it does not affect the visibility of the printing or ink inscriptions. There are two horizontal fold lines running across the document. With this document are two pages torn from a family Bible. They list births, marriages and deaths of the Doudican family. Family members on these sheets are listed as both Doudican and Dow. Pages have severe wear and are torn along edges but all writing is legible. The soldier’s widow refers to these pages in here application for a pension.

The next item is a framed Soldier’s Memorial. This is the standard color document that is often encountered. It has a large spread winged eagle at the top center with flags and a US shield flanked by a Naval and a land battle scene. The main text area is flanked by two pillars with laurel leaves wound around them with Corp Badges in between the rows. A sailor with drawn sword and a cavalryman about to mount his horse flank the pillars. The bottom center has a bust of President Abraham Lincoln flanked by an artilleryman and an infantryman. Both bottom corners have battle scenes. The main text area says that this memorial if for John Dow. The memorial states that he enlisted August 11, 1862 and that he served at Manassas Gap, Wapping Heights, Culpepper, Bristow Station, Kelly’s Ford, Brandy’s Station, Locust Grove and Mine Run where he was wounded by a gunshot in his right hand. He was also present at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Po River, North Anna, Hanover and Cold Harbor where he was wounded by gunshot in the right shoulder and the right hand. He also had service at Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg and Leesburg where he was captured. He was confined in Libby Prison 3 weeks and Andersonville for 6 months, Danville 4 months. He was discharged June 18, 1865 at Washington, D.C. The memorial also states that he was a member of the Arrowsmith Post No. 61 of Red Bank, New Jersey. The very bottom states that the veteran presented this document to his wife and children in 1910. Framed, the item meas. approx. 22.50 x 27.50 inches. Frame has no glass and a foamcore backing. The frame appears to be the original. Document has minor chips and tears along edges. There is a water stain along the bottom edge and in the area of the dedication the document is punctured. This is not too serious but glass and a stiff backing should be added to the piece to ensure its condition does not worsen.

The last item in the group is a nice oval photograph of Dow enhanced with colored charcoal. The frame is gold with a beaded inner border. The item meas. approx. 16.50 inches wide x 19.50 inches long. Dow is shown in a dark civilian suit with bow tie. He wears his GAR membership badge on his chest and wears a kepi with the number “61” on his head. The “61” on the cap denotes the number of his GAR Post. Photo is inwonderful condition. Frame appears to be original to the photo. The back has a short letter written by Dow’s granddaughter in 1996.

The item also comes with a nicely written display card and military and pension records.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!