IDENTIFIED OFFICER’S GAUNTLETS OF LT. JOHN T. MAGINNIS, 18TH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY – POW WINCHESTER, VA JUNE 1863, HELD AT LIBBY PRISON; KILLED IN ACTION JUNE 1864 AT PIEDMONT, VA

IDENTIFIED OFFICER’S GAUNTLETS OF LT. JOHN T. MAGINNIS, 18TH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY – POW WINCHESTER, VA JUNE 1863, HELD AT LIBBY PRISON; KILLED IN ACTION JUNE 1864 AT PIEDMONT, VA

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5

$3,000.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 282-452

This pair of buckskin gauntlets were worn by John Thomas Maginnis of the 18th Connecticut Infantry.  They remain in very good condition with supple leather and light soiling from use.  Each gauntlet has an ink inscription inside as follows:  “Lt. John T. Maginnis / Co. E 18th CV / 1862”, and “Lt. John T Maginnis / Co E 18th Conn Vols / 1862.”  There are no rips or tears to the gauntlets.

John Thomas Maginnis, born 4/5/25 in Stamford, CT,  was married to Eliabeth Tulley Whittlesey of Salem, CT and was a resident there when he enlisted on 7/25/62 as a 2nd lieutenant. On 8/18/62 he was commissioned into Co. E, 18th Connecticut Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Winchester, VA on 6/15/63 and confined for 9 months at Libby Prison, being paroled on 3/14/64. [The 8th Connecticut was part of the 8th Corps and suffered heavy casualties in killed and wounded at the 2nd Battle of Winchester during the Gettysburg Campaign, where the regiment was captured en masse, including Maginnis.] He contracted a cough during his imprisonment and was later furloughed.  After returning home, he returned to his regiment and participated in the Battle of Piedmont, VA, where he received a small musket ball to the temple and died in the arms of a comrade on 6/5/64. Initially buried on the battlefield, his body was later removed and re-interred in Mosswood Glen Cemetery at Music Vale Seminary in Salem, CT; Maginnis’ father-in-law was the founder of the seminary.

The 8th CT regimental history provides a brief account of Maginnis service:  “They were immediately marched to Libby Prison, Richmond, suffering greatly from fatigue, thirst and hunger, where they arrived June 23d, 1863. Lieut. McGinnis was not discharged until March 16, 1864. At one time while in prison he was very sick. From cold, privation and suffering he contracted a cough from which he never recovered. Receiving a furlough he returned home to his family…when  his leave of absence expired he expressed an ardent desire to return to his regiment….He joined his regiment, then under Gen. Hunter…On the morning of Sunday, June 5th, 1864, Gen. Hunter’s command met the rebels…at Piedmont, Va. Lieut. McGinnis led his company into action, and by his coolness and bravery, as in former battles, won the praise and admiration of his brother soldiers. At mid-day he fell mortally wounded in the left forehead, killed by an English Tower rifle ball…He proved himself, like thousands of his countrymen, a true patriot, a brave soldier, a noble man.

These gauntlets descended in the family of Maginnis. They are housed in a display with a modern copy of a photo of Maginnis, and a photograph of the cover of a piece of music written by Maginnis’ father-in-law and dedicated to John, There’s a Proud and Noble Flag.

Accompanying the display box are copies of photos of Maginnis, some of which show him wearing these exact gauntlets, a copy of The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, Of Charles H. Lynch, 18th Conn. Vol’s., and other biographical information.  [ld][ph:L]

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

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

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About IDENTIFIED OFFICER’S GAUNTLETS OF LT. JOHN T. MAGINNIS, 18TH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY – POW WINCHESTER, VA JUNE 1863, HELD AT LIBBY PRISON; KILLED IN ACTION JUNE 1864 AT PIEDMONT, VA

should be empty