November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Lot consists of (A) 1864 Richmond published "Army and Navy Prayer Book," complete, 96 pages, plain paper covers, the front very nicely inscribed in brown ink script: "Eugene Blackford / Major 5th Ala. Inf. / Battle's Brigade / Rodes' Division / 2nd Corps / A.N.V.". CONDITION: Excellent. Some turned corners, minor soiling. (B) 12 Maryland state seal buttons, 11 backmarked "EXTRA [rose] QUALITY [rose]" between 2 roped border lines, and one using a star in place of the rose. CONDITION: Excellent. Blackford (1839-1908) had moved from Virginia to teach school in Alabama where he raised a company of volunteers at the outbreak of war who became Co. K of the 5th Alabama under Col. Robert Rodes. He saw action at Manassas, the Peninsula Campaign, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the 1864 fighting in the Shenandoah at Kernstown, Winchester, and Cedar Creek. Blackford's greatest claim to fame was his selection in January 1863 to command a select battalion of sharpshooters in Rodes' brigade, tasked with skirmishing, scouting, and picket line duties. This was expanded to include battalions in each of his brigades as Rodes reached division command and adopted army wide in 1864. Blackford effectively deployed his men at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the remainder of the war. Court martialed and cashiered on trumped up charges by rival officers after Cedar Creek, he was reinstated by Davis, though health problems sidelined him at the very end of the war. His connection with Maryland dates from before the war through his future wife, a Baltimore native. The couple later settled in Pikesville, Maryland, where Blackford engaged in teaching, land surveying, farming, and served as postmaster. He is prominently mentioned in books on the sharpshooter battalions and portions of his letters and papers have been published.
Item Dimensions: 6" X 5"