The wallet is built around a rectangular iron frame that has been covered with leather embossed with the typical 19^th Century decorative scrolls. Closed the wallet meas. approx. 5.75 x 3.50 inches.

The top has two latches, one opens the wallet and the other holds a decorative iron frame that separates the two inner halves of the wallet. The left half of the interior has three red leather pockets marked in gold ink with “BANKS,” “DOLLARS” and “GOLD.” The very bottom of the pocket is marked “SUNDRIES.” Written in period ink on the top pocket is “AMOS W. HOSTETTER. There is some surface dirt and wear in the area of the name but most of it is visible.

Releasing the top latch and flipping over the decorative iron frame reveals a note pad covered in red cloth. The pad is blank except for one page which contains a Galena, Illinois address.

The wallet is in overall good condition. There is a good amount of rust to the iron frame and the interior iron decorative panel. The leather on the outside has shrunk a bit but all this is typical for a 150 year old wallet.

Amos W. Hostetter was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1838.

In 1860 he was living with his uncle in Carroll County, Illinois and working as a bank clerk. On August 15, 1861 he was commissioned a 1^st lieutenant in Company I, 34^th Illinois Infantry. Before leaving home for the front Hostetter was married to Miss Elizabeth Shirk.

Hostetter saw his first action at Shiloh and on the 18^th of April he was made captain of his Company. He led his men through Corinth, Stones River, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dallas and Kennesaw Mountain. In the advance on Atlanta Captain Hostetter was wounded along the skirmish line and died on July 26, 1864.

In his official report on the Atlanta Campaign the commanding officer of the 34^th Illinois, Lt. Col. Oscar Van Tassell said “…taking an honorable part in the siege of Atlanta, in which we lost Capt. Amos W. Hostetter, an officer than whom a braver or more trustworthy never drew sword in the defense of the right, who was never absent from his command or duty for more than forty-eight hours at a time during all his term of service, leaving a record behind him of which any officer or man might well be proud…”

It is said that when his body was brought home and buried in Mount Carroll Cemetery, Hostetter’s Newfoundland dog laid on his grave and remained until he too, died.  [ad] [ph:L]

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