Page 189 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 187
Incredible Historic Civil War Relief Carved Hardwood Cane Inscribed for A.N. White of the 165th New York Volunteer Infantry - This very interesting Civil War cane has been expertly relief carved, possibly by the original owner, with the bust of a fez-clad Zouave making up the ball shaped grip, a “2/DZ” marked knapsack, cartridge box, and corps emblem on the back, and a pair of stacked muskets and a canteen on the front, all just below the bust. There are also multiple inscriptions carved throughout including “A.N. WHITE”, “1862 1865”, Co. A/165/N.Y. VOL.”, and “2 DIV./2 BRIG.” The 165th New York Infantry was organized in New York in 1862 as a sister regiment to the 5th New York Infantry. Both regiments the flamboyant and iconic Zouave style uniforms in the field, with the uniforms of both being nearly identical.
The regiment was transferred to Louisiana in December of 1862, and in January of
1863 became part of 3rd Brigade,
2nd Division, XIX Army Corps,
Dept. of the Gulf. It was around
this time that the owner of this
cane joined the regiment. 23
year old Albert White enlisted
as a private for three years at Carrollton, Louisiana, and would
have been with the regiment
during the siege of and assaults
on Port Hudson in the spring of
1863, when the regiment suffered their highest casualties. White was promoted to corporal in October of 1863. In early 1864 the regiment was involved in the Red River Campaign which included the battles of Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill on 8-9 April. During the action at Pleasant Hill, White was captured, and 25 other men from the regiment were listed
as missing. It is believed that most
of the Union prisoners taken at this
battle were transferred to Camp Ford,
a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp in Tyler, Texas. On 5 January 1865, White
was exchanged at Galveston, Texas, and 20 May 1865 was promoted to sergeant just before the regiment took part in the Grand Review in Washington D.C. On 1 September 1865 he mustered out with the remainder of the his company in Charleston, South Carolina. It is unclear
if, or when, the 165th was attached to
2nd Division 2nd Brigade as inscribed
on the cane, but it was likely for only a short time during the war. Apart from
the relief carved grip as described above, the remained of the cane is smooth, tapering to the tip that has a brass ferrule. It measures 32 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, showing some scattered hairline age cracks, minor handling marks scattered throughout, most of the carving crisp, and retaining much of the original finish with an attractive aged appearance overall. A unique and identified piece of Civil War history!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 188
Attractive Gilt Handled Presentation Cane Inscribed to General Thomas M. Hite from Colonel R.A. Hawkins - The gilt grip of this beautiful presentation cane is inscribed “Presented to/Genl. Thomas M. Hite/by Col. R.A./Hawkins,/
of East Tennessee. At the time of writing, little information could be found about either of these individuals, though it is likely from the Civil War era. It appears that a Thomas M. Kite was attending the Kentucky Military Institute in 1851. The sides
of the grip has extensive floral motifs on a stippled background. The smooth hardwood shaft is tipped with iron. It measures 35 1/2 inches overall. CONDITION: Very good, the grip retaining most
of the bright gilt finish with a few scattered minor handling marks. The shaft is fine with a few hairline age cracks and some mild wear.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 189
Ornate Relief Carved
Antique Ivory Patriotic American Eagle Cane Inscribed to P.D. Wright - Beginning in approximately the 16th century, canes gradually became more popular among the upper echelons of society, reaching its pinnacle around the late-19th to early-20th centuries. They became far more than
just an accessory to assist with mobility, and more of a symbol
of ones status and wealth. The bulbous grip of this cane has been relief carved with an American
eagle perched on a shield, with the shield inscribed “P.D. Wright”. The identity of Wright is unknown at
this time. The grip is joined to the shaft with a brass band. The shaft is a dark hardwood with a contrasting tip protected by a modern removable rubber cover. It measures 35 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very good, the grip showing an attractively aged tone overall with some scattered hairline age cracks, and attractively aged brass band. The shaft shows a lightly worn dull tone with some scattered light handling marks. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
187