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General William S. King
LOT 1239
Historic Civil War Presentation Gilt Handled Cane Inscribed to General William S. King of the 35th Massachusetts Infantry, Who was Severely Wounded in
the Battle of Antietam - This historic Civil War presentation cane is inscribed to a man who might accurately be described as a walking miracle. The gilt grip of the cane is inscribed “Presented/to/Genl Wm S. King/by/Co. K. 35th Mass. Vols./Feb. 1st/1882”. William Sterling King (1818-1882) was born the son of a New York City politician and lawyer, attended Yale, graduated from Union College, and practiced law himself in New York until 1843 when he relocated to Rhode Island and subsequently Roxbury, Massachusetts. In 1855, King was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he served until 1862. On 4 August 1862, King enlisted in the Union Army, and six days later was mustered in as captain of Company K of the 35th Massachusetts Infantry. The regiment was attached to Ferrero’s 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, IX Corps, of the Army of the Potomac A month later, the regiment was marching into Maryland, where they took part in the Battle of South Mountain, Colonel Wild, the commander of the regiment, losing an arm. Two days later, the regiment, along with the rest of Ferrero’s brigade, was heavily involved at the Battle of Antietam, being the Union unit that was finally able to force their way across “Burnside’s Bridge” but suffering greatly for it and in the action that would follow. After crossing the bridge, the brigade was part of a large push towards the town of Sharpsburg, but were heavily engaged by Confederates near Otto Farm Lane, suffering heavy casualties. The regiment fought hard into the night before being relieved, and ordered back across the same bridge they had fought so hard to cross. In this action, 214 officers and enlisted men were killed or wounded. One of those wounded was King himself, his survival being nothing short of miraculous. A quote from the “New Jersey Mirror and Burlington County Advertiser” from 20 November 1862 describes King’s condition as:
“...there being twenty-one holes in his clothing, made by shot and shell, seven of which took effect on his person, one bullet hitting him in the leg, which was afterwards extracted; one in the fleshy part of his thigh; one, the most severe, in the shoulder, a minie ball entering at the collar-bone in front; one on each side of the spine, making deep flesh wounds; one passing just above his ear, raising a blister as it passed; and a piece of shell hitting him on the head, making a severe wound. He is now lying unable to move or be moved, but in good spirits.”
Incredibly, despite his severe wounds, King appears to have returned to service four months later just in time for the Battle of Fredericksburg, receiving a promotion to major. King and the 35th went on to be involved in the Sieges of Vicksburg and Knoxville, before he was again promoted to lieutenant colonel in April of 1864, and then on to the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, and the Siege of Petersburg. By the end of 1864, he had served as chief of staff of the 2nd Division, IX Corps, provost-marshal of Kentucky, and military commander of the district of Lexington, Kentucky. He was discharged from the 35th on 14 November 1864 to take the appointment as colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. On 12 March 1865 he was promoted to brevet brigadier general, and on 17 June 1865 was mustered out of service in Washington D.C. After the war, King was appointed as the first Constable of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (predecessor of the Massachusetts State Police) and is credited with designing the first badge worn by the state police. Apart from the inscription, the gilt knob-shaped grip of the cane features extensive floral motifs and is joined to an ebonized shaft that appears to have a metal core and is tipped with German silver and iron. It measures 36 inches overall.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall, the grips showing a bright gilt finish with only the slightest handling marks and some scattered light scuffs and handling marks on the shaft. An outstanding piece of Civil War history inscribed to a hero who miraculously survived wounds suffered at the Battle of Antietam!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1240
Historic Civil War Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver Inscribed as Presented to Colonel E.A.L. Roberts in 1862 - Serial no. 11038, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. The back strap is inscribed
“PRESENTED TO/Col. E.A.L. Roberts./by his Friends, Oct. 2nd 1862” in alternating fonts. Lieutenant Colonel Edward A.L. Roberts (1829-1881) is most famous as the inventor of the “oil well torpedo” in 1865 and fracking and co-founder of the Roberts Petroleum Torpedo Company. His invention was inspired by witnessing torpedoes during the Battle of Fredericksburg. His technique involved lowering nitroglycerin explosives into the wells and then filling the wells with water to increase the flow of oil. He was the lieutenant colonel of the 28th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. He commanded the unit from December 14, 1862, to January 2, 1863, and command of the unit during the ill-fated assaults on Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg. He resigned following the affair but was instead cashiered on January 12, 1863, for “resigning in the face of the enemy.” The serial number of this revolver dates to 1863 according to Colt and the “Blue Book Pocket Guide for Colt Dates of Manufacture” by Wilson. As collectors know, serial number ranges aren’t always indicative of the year a firearm was produced. The barrel has a nickel silver front sight blade and the “-ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” address. The frame has “COLTS/ PATENT” on the left. The cylinder has the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene. The wedge is numbered “038” and “5761” with the latter lined out. The cylinder and grip are marked “1038.” The barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap have the full serial number along with “2” markings either above and below the serial numbers. CONDITION: Very good with strong traces of original finish in the protected areas, evidence the barrel had been mostly polished bright at one time, mild oxidation overall, aged patina on the brass, and general mild overall wear. The grip is fine and has mild dings and scratches, light edge wear, and most of the varnish remaining. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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