December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
Lot consists of: (A) CDV photo by Willard, Philadelphia, of armed cavalryman, full standing with drawn saber at parade rest, visible sword belt, buckle and cap box, saber with saber knot. Forage cap with crossed sabers prominently displayed on column next to him. Wears tall cavalry boots with visible spur straps, wide-cuff gauntlets. Jacket characteristic of 15th PA Cavalry. Identified in period ink reverse: "John Edward Wildes" and "Born Mar 21, 1843 / Died Sept 4, 1863." CONDITION: Excellent. Identification is period and confirmed by identical image in Library of Congress. (B) Small red leather bound pocket book, "Young Man's Book of Poetry," published 1835, ink presentation flyleaf, "Ezra Brown(?) / To John Wildes." CONDITION: Very good. Minor scuffs to edges and spine. Wildes mustered into Company B, 15th PA Cavalry 8/22/1862 and later transferred to Company E. He died at Philadelphia 9/4/1863. Organized around the elite "Anderson Troop" in Fall 1862, the regiment was intended for service on escort and headquarters duty and was carefully recruited from socially prominent families. Elements saw early service in the Antietam Campaign. In early 1863 it was sent west, joining the army at Nashville and elements took part in the Stones River campaign. They saw action later at Wilkinson's Crossroads, Woodbury, and served in the Murfreesboro to Tullahoma campaign with Companies B, H, and K acting as Rosecrans' escort. When Wildes was hospitalized is unclear. He reportedly died of Typhoid Fever. These 2 items come with a modern copy photo of the image as well.