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THE SADDLECLOTH OF GENERAL PHILIP H. SHERIDAN

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Also known as a " shabraque" this one, a national treasure, belonged to Major General Sheridan. Major General Philip Sheridan was one of General Ulysses S. Grant's favorite commanders. A West Point graduate, Class of 1853, Sheridan was promoted to captain after the attack on Fort Sumter. He later fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge and at Corinth where he met Brigadier General William T. Sherman who was influential in seeing that Sheridan was given his own regiment, the 2nd Michigan Cavalry. In 1864 Sheridan would command the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. He would go on to become one of the most respected and famous cavalrymen of the Civil War. He would completely shatter Confederate General Early's army in the Shenandoah Valley and in the Appomattox Campaign and was instrumental in forcing General Robert E. Lee's surrender. (Philip Sheridan - Wikipedia)

This saddlecloth dates as early as April 1863 when Sheridan was promoted to a major general. It then graced the back of his famous horse "Rienzi" (later he changed his name to "Winchester" after his great victory there against Early). The provenance of this treasure is impeccable. It was once the property of the Civil War historian author and heroic soldier of World War II Francis A. Lord. I refer you to Lord's classic and groundbreaking work from 1963 "Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia Arms, Uniforms and Equipment of the Union and Confederacy".  With the saddlecloth there is a signed and duly notarized statement by Lord dated October 17, 1996. It reads: "This is to certify that this major general's saddle cloth came from the estate of Maj. Gen. P.H. Sheridan. Sheridan's two daughters ran an OPPORTUNITY SHOP in Georgetown D.C. during W.W. II." (The Opportunity Shop has been a fixture in the historic Georgetown District of Washington, DC since 1933. The Shop is staffed by volunteers, some of whom have been lending a hand for over 40 years! The Shop is a high-end consignment store that markets and sells antiques, fine jewelry, sterling silver, crystal, decorative accessories and collectibles. All proceeds from the Shop are used to support The Christ Child Society in the Washington, D.C area.) " Because my Grandfather served under Sheridan in 1864 these two ladies made available to me several personal items of Sheridan, including shoulder straps, autographed books, and various of his mementoes. Signed Francis A. Lord".  There is nothing more for us to add to this statement, it says it all.

The shabraque measures 46 inches across and 39 inches from front to back. The dark blue felt of the blanket is trimmed by two 1 ¼" gold bands. The entire blanket is trimmed in a gold-colored leather trim as well. At the rear bottom corners of the blanket are two heavy gold bullion federal eagles with two five-pointed bullion stars above signifying Sheridan's rank of major general. The entire cloth and bullion along with the trim is laid down on heavy black saddle leather on the underside of the blanket. There are two leather slits in the blanket for the cinch strap to be threaded through, each heavily lined inside and out with black leather. There is some cloth loss on each side from saddle wear and natural cracking at the top of the blanket, however the blanket is in overall good condition. Minor conservation and cleaning were carried out in 2001 for Mr. Ray Richey by Catharine Valentour, a Conservator in Washington D.C. This report with all its particulars passes to the buyer. [pe] [ph:L]

Additional shipping charge required.

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