Framed Civil War Item From Private Eldridge from New York Infantry
Guns International #: 100739426 Seller's Inventory #: 25044
Category: Collectibles - Civil War -
Seller's Information
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Seller: Joe Salter com
Company: Down East Antiques - Joe Salter
Member Since: 9/10/10
First Name: Garrick-March-Jim-Joe
Last Name: Salter
State: New Hampshire
Zip: 03031
Country: United States
Phone: (603) 732-4000
Fax: (603) 732-4200
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Total Number of Listings: 20199
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
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About Us: Joe Salter has been in the Antique and Collector Weapons business for 60 years as both a collector and dealer. Our company is based in Southern New Hampshire and we have had an internet based store front for the past 20 years. We are federally licensed and deal in all types of firearms and related material. We offer free Shipping for orders over $500.
Description:
This is a November 1, 1862 dated document confirming the promotion of Private James W. Eldridge to the rank of Sergeant in Company A, 127th New York Volunteer Infantry. The document is signed by Lt. Colonel Stewart L. Woodford (in lieu of the commanding officer, Colonel William Gurney) and countersigned by the regimental adjutant, 1st Lieutenant John L. Little, in well-executed Spencerian script. The paper has toned to a mottled dark brown color over time but is still fully legible with three equidistant vertical creases and one horizontal crease towards the bottom edge of the document. The document is matted and housed in an archival frame (26" x 16 1/2") along with a large, double-sided bronze medallion depicting the arms of the state of New York on the obverse; and an engraved presentation on the reverse: PRESENTED TO James W. Eldridge Sergt. Co. A. 127th N.Y.S. Vol. Inf. '61-'65 N.Y.S.V., BY REUBEN E. FENTON, GOVERNOR, In Pursuance of Concurrent Resolutions PASSED BY THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS A MEMENTO OF THE COURAGE OF HER SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. – + – “The benediction of the covering heavens Fall on your heads, like dew." The shield-shaped medallion has a rich red-ochre patina throughout with some faint trace of brighter metal visible within the engraving itself. Also included is a carte-de-visite of Eldridge depicting a head and shoulders view, hatless, and wearing a federal enlisted frock coat. The front of the card is written in pencil: “Eldridge, James W.", while on the back is: “1864/July 11/James W Eldridge/Sergeant/Co A/127th NYSVol/Infantry/Morris Island/SC". James William Eldridge was 21 when he enlisted as a private on August 8, 1862, mustering into Co. A, 127th N.Y. Infantry on September 8. He was promoted to Corporal on October 6, and to Sergeant on November 1 (as noted in the framed certificate). Eldridge was discharged for promotion on August 12, 1864 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. I, 23rd U.S. Colored Infantry the same day. Eldridge was promoted once more to 1st Lieutenant just prior to the war's end and finally mustered out on May 5, 1865. After the war he embarked on a quest to preserve and document the struggle between the states by collecting artifacts and through his correspondence with participants on both sides of the conflict becoming one of the first serious collectors of Civil War memorabilia and items. The bulk of Eldridge's collection today form a part of the Henry E. Huntington Library collection in San Marino, CA, but deaccessioned portions (of which these items were a part) were sold in October of 1910 by Walter H. Murray of Providence, R.I. Also included with the items are copies of documents relating to Eldridge's life and service.
SOLD
Manufacturer: US
Model: Civil War