December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2023
Lot consists of Civil War material belonging to Lt. Albert W. Sturdy, 18th Massachusetts: Private Co. I 7/27/61; promoted corporal and sergeant; 2nd Lt. 8/25/62; WIA Fredericksburg 12/13/62; 1st Lt. 3/15/63; discharged for wounds 4/22/63. (A) 2 red silk pieces of regimental flag each about 2 x 4" with period pencil note: “Pieces of the flag of the 18th Regt. Mass Vols under which A W Sturdy fought at Yorktown, Gaines Mill, 2d Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg & other skirmishes in 1862.” (B) Wound bullet: distorted minie ball with note from Sturdy that it was extracted Dec. 14, 1862, at Fredericksburg, where he had been wounded in the foot in the disastrous assaults of the previous day. (C) GAR Membership badge: eagle pin, flag ribbon, GAR star. (D) Small table medal engraved “A.W. Sturdy / Co. I 18th Regt. Mass. Vol.” with U.S. seal on reverse, 1 - 1/2" diam. (E) Cuff size Mass button, D. Evans bm. (F) 10 wartime documents and 1 military biography for GAR Post Historian: Nov 1861 warrant as Corporal signed by Col. Barnes giving Sturdy rank from Oct. 9; Nov 1862 pass; Jan 1863 Leave of absence signed by Drake De Kay; Feb 1863 leave extension; 2 March 1863 leave extensions; March 1863 clothing account; April 1863 pass; April 1863 discharge certificate for pay; May 1863 check to doctor. CONDITION: Notes Exc.; Documents Exc. with minor separation lines on 1 or 2; Flag fragments and GAR badge Exc. Sturdy was a jeweler in New York when the war broke out. After serving in a home guard unit there, he returned to Massachusetts to enlist in the 18th Mass Infantry. During his time with them they were one of the regiments awarded Chasseur uniforms for proficiency in drill, served in the Peninsula Campaign, lost 169 men at 2nd Bull Run, were present at Antietam, and at Fredericksburg in the 5th Corps lost 134 men, including Sturdy. He was a member of Mass GAR Post 145 and died in Attleborough 1925. Ex-Lattimer Collection.
Item Dimensions: 16" X 12"