November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Black ebony fife with silvered brass ferrules from the effects of "Galvanized Yankee" Samuel W. Edmonds (sometimes William S. Edmonds.) Born in Virginia, Edmonds enlisted in Co. F 9th Virginia Infantry in May 1861. Edmonds later claimed to be a sailor by background. The regiment organized at Portsmouth and served in the Department of Norfolk. He was absent sick at a General Hospital from February 28th, 1862, had not been heard from by April, and is listed as deserted in July. By April 1863 he had been captured and was awaiting trial for desertion, but rejoined the ranks for the Gettysburg Campaign and is listed as deserting to the enemy on July 5. The regiment was engaged in Pickett's Charge on July 3, which may have influenced his decision, though he may have departed earlier or simply lain low. U.S. records indicate he "gave up" at Chambersburg and appears on an August 1863 roll of Confederate prisoners of war at Fort Delaware, "desirous of entering the service of the U.S.". He enlisted in the U.S. 3rd Maryland Cavalry at Fort Delaware on September 18th, 1863 and mustered into Co. F as a private on September 24th. He was initially assigned as cook to the regimental hospital though April 1864, but was present with his company from May, and was transferred to Co. F as part of a consolidation in December 1864. The regiment was then sent to Louisiana and served under Banks in the Red River Campaign, and later under Canby in operations against Mobile. From then to April 1865 he was assigned to the personal escort and bodyguard of General Granger and was discharged September 5th, 1865, at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Interestingly, his file contains an August 1864 order from Granger for his arrest and confinement, though with no cause or outcome noted. CONDITION: Very good. Some minor rubbing to the silver wash of the ferrules.
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