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HIGH QUALITY GROUPING BELONGING TO THE COLONEL OF THE 2ND CALIFORNIA CAVALRY
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$18,500.00
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 1268-1007
Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer
To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail
The William Jones collection consists of his frock coat, his trousers, his sash, his waist belt and his 2 swords as well as a plethora of military papers.
THE REGIMENT: Initially let me direct you to this webpage for a detailed history of the 2nd Regiment California Cavalry (California and the Civil War: Regiments of the California Volunteers in Federal Service: 2nd Regiment of Cavalry).
CAPTAIN TO COLONEL WILLIAM JONES: Little to nothing could be found on William Jones prior to his enlistment at San Francisco in the 2nd California Volunteer Cavalry on October 11, 1861, and good luck finding the grave of our William Jones among the millions of Joneses. He was immediately elected captain of Co. I on the day of his enlistment so he must have had some military experience and been a man of good character. After serving with the regiment 2 years, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on February 1st, 1863, which bespeaks of superior talents. His post was at Camp Babbitt, California. He was soon a full bird colonel by October of the same year and assumed active field command at Camp Douglas in Utah on January 22, 1864. Unbelievable within a half a year he was ordered to be "dishonorably discharged" subject to his voluntary resignation which was duly received. It was only 1871 that his record was scrubbed clean (please see attachments in regard to these matters)
THE FROCK COAT. This fine Civil War U.S. cavalry officer's frock coat is a private purchase. It is double-breasted with a fourteen-button front (seven on each side) three-button cuffs, and four buttons on the rear waist. All the buttons, large and small, are cavalry officer "C" buttons made by "THOMAS DALE & CO, NEW YORK" and are in almost perfect gilt. The material used to tailor this frock is the finest wool broadcloth. The sleeves bulge to 8 1/4 inches at the elbow and are 5 inches at the functional 3 button cuff. The un-piped stand-up black velvet lined collar is 1 inch high. The coat has a bottom that is raw cut or unbasted. There are 2 rear interior pockets lined in a brown polished cotton. The faux pocket flaps are decorated with 4 large eagle "C" buttons. The exterior of the frock is excellent with a few minor moth nips. The interior of the frock is fully lined with a quilted blue polished cotton. There is 1 interior breast pocket on the left lined with polished brown cotton. The sleeves are fully lined in off-white polished cotton. The condition of the lining is excellent showing minor wear. Sewn tightly to the shoulders are two excellent cavalry "full-bird colonel" epaulettes. These are embroidered in metallic gold bullion with 2 exterior borders and an impressive, embroidered eagle on a yellow velvet backing. They measure 2 inches by 5 inches and are tied at the ends by heavy thread and could be removed if the wearer desired.
THE PANTS. The wool trousers are mid-blue with a narrow bright yellow 1/16-inch wool broadcloth cord running down and inset into center seam of both legs. The waist is fitted with 6 iron suspender buttons. The waist is tightened by a small adjusting belt with an iron frame buckle at the rear. The waist is fastened by a single button on the waist band. The fly was fastened by 3 iron buttons all are present. The fly is lined with white glazed cotton. Two instep boot strap iron buttons were once present inside each side of the cuffs. The cuff bottoms are reinforced with linen. The waist band is in lined in orange-pink glazed cotton, which extends down about 1 1/2 inches. There are 2 vertical cut linen pockets at each hip. There is all horizontal cut pocket on the right side at the waist perhaps for a watch. The condition of the pants is near perfect.
THE SWORD BELT: This is the regulation sword belt for U.S. officers in the Civil War. The rectangular Model 1851 eagle officer's belt buckle is based on an early made product of stamped brass with a lead filled reverse. However, in this case the buckle is cast brass which means the foundry was using a stamped brass buckle with the lead removed as a template or pattern in their sand molding process. As a result, the reverse shows the backside of the front. This may reflect a "wartime" expediency. This buckle is nevertheless finely cast and slim. It has a silver soldered rectangular hook that fastens to a cast brass "keeper" numbered "283". Neither the buckle nor keeper have been off this belt. The belt is the usual officer’s style, made of a high grade, good looking black leather. The sword straps are suspended from fixed chapes on the belt using oval brass loops and still have their larger than usual swivel snap hooks. The single carrying or support hook is in place. The edges of the belt show some rubs and abrasions and there is some minor cracking. The shorter sword has a rip which is not torn through and is stable. The belt is complete and displays very well.
THE SASH. The sash was worn over the frock coat and wrapped around the waist then looped or knotted on the left side. This officer’s leather sword belt, which is also part of the group, was worn over this sash. The sash, a wool and silk blend, still exhibits a rich, vibrant maroon color and is approximately 6” wide and 115 inches long including the tassels at the ends. The tassels are 8 ½ inches long themselves. These exhibit little wear or discoloration. The condition is perfect.
THE SWORDS: One sword is "undress", and the other is "full dress". The undress sword (combat sword if you will) is a regulation Model 1860 light cavalry sword with 3 branch brass guard and leather and twisted wire wrapped grip and of course an iron scabbard. It was made by Ames and accordingly inspected on the pommel by Andrew D. King ("A.D.K."); however the ricasso is not maker marked and shows on the right side only a "US" over a sloppily, but absolutely period stamped date of "1862" additionally the blade is 34 inches long rather than 35 which indicates that this sword was originally made prior to 1859. This is not the first of such swords this compiler has seen in over 60 years involvement in this field. What is suggested here is that such swords were re-furbished at the regimental or company level and then re-issued at the time the date was applied. Other documented swords seen issued and re-furbished principally to the 1st and 2nd US Cavalry (regulars) show the lack of a maker only with US and date 1857 or 1858. They also share other features this sword has namely: small numbers on the pommels and hilt that match and larger but different numbers on the drag. In the case of Jones' sword, the 1/8-inch hilt and pommel numbers are "66" and the 1/2 inch drag numbers are "3/47" on both sides. A small number appears near the throat of the iron scabbard, and this may be "66" or "68". Other than a chip on the grip near the pommel the sword is in fine condition with a blade that shows no rust or pitting. The scabbard shows moderate use but no abuse and has a pleasing dark brown patina.
The "full dress" or "station dress" sword is of presentation quality. Sold by Emerson & Silver of Trenton, New Jersey. Emerson and Silver were prolific sword makers during the war and in this case importers the sword being a German product. This sword follows the overall regulations for the United States Army Staff & Field Sword of 1850, though with the higher degree of fit and finish associated with privately purchased sidearms. The ferrule for example is a finally executed eagle head and the 3 mounts on the iron scabbard are very ornate. The sword’s blade is in almost perfect polish and is beautifully etched with patriotic and floral motifs and includes a riband which reads "FORWARD TO RICHMOND" (which was a long way from California!) In overall length the sword is 39 inches, with a lightly curved 32 inch double fuller blade bears the Trenton address on the right side near the ricasso. The guard and pommel are gilt brass now heavily patinated, with a sculpted floral pattern on the guard, laurel accents on the pommel, and a large "US" in the basket of the guard. There is copper wire wrapping the fish skin grips which show hand wear but is 70% intact. With these 2 swords comes a handwritten letter dated March 31, 1982, and reads: "These swords belonged to William Jones of the 2nd California Cav. These swords have been in the hands of Joanna Rhodus Trusdell, daughter of Howard Jones Rhodus-the grandson of Col. Jones. They will accompany the Colonel's uniform previously released by me. Joanna Rhodus Trusdell".
THE PAPERWORK: There are dozens of period papers all military dating from 1862 to 1865. There are several company quarterly returns, but the majority of writings are from Jones to the military authorities and superiors in defense of himself regarding the behavior that led to his dismissal from the service. Several are addressed to dignitaries in far off Washington D.C. These are fascinating and highly informative. Additional there is a wonderfully engraved 18-inch by 16-inch parchment which is William Jones' official US colonel's commission. Among others it is signed by the then governor of California Leland Stanford (Leland Stanford - Wikipedia). Mr. Richey went to great expense framing this with double-sided glass. Interestingly among the papers was found a bone "writing guide" 9 inches long and 3/4 of an inch wide. Also among the papers is a circa 1950 facsimile of a Civil War period photo portrait of Colonel Jones. On the back is written: "Ester's father Colonel Wm Jones- Company I-2nd Cavalry Calif. Vol.". In this picture Jones is dressed as a full colonel and is wearing the frock, sash, pants we are offering.
This grouping is in superb condition, all of which was on prominent display in the famous Texas Civil War Museum. [pe][ph:L]
Extra shipping charge required.
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