September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2023
A quite enticing ewer with an even more interesting history. Instead of carrying liquid, this ornate silver jug carries the legacy of a model soldier with an impressive service record. William Thomas Magruder was born in 1826 to a very patriotic family with lineage that dates back to Scottish ancestors who were exiled from Scotland. Keeping up with the tradition of his many relatives who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and other conflicts throughout United States history predating William’s birth, he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated 11th in his class of 1846. After graduating, Thomas was breveted to 2nd Lieutenant on July 1, 1850 and sent to the cavalry school at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of his duties there, he was sent to Fort Snelling, Minnesota with the 1st Cavalry and spent the next 10 years assigned to frontier duty. William, who was also referred to as his middle name, Thomas, quickly began making a name for himself and often had his experience featured in newspapers back home. His exploits of April 28, 1853 were applauded when printed in local Maryland newspapers when he was out of ammunition and killed a Chippewa brave with his bare hands at St. Croix Falls. Less than a year later, he was appointed as quartermaster of the 1st Dragoon Regiment, and after that, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant while on an expedition against the Utah and Apache Indians. Magruder’s reputation was further enhanced with skirmishes in Chawa-tak Pass, Punch Pass, and the Utah surprise at the head-waters of the Arkansas. It was in 1860, when this beautiful ewer was presented to him. The gift was crafted by Samuel Kirk and his son Henry Child Kirk, and is marked “S. KIRK & SON” on the bottom. Kirk was well known as one of the city’s finest silversmiths at the time and a piece such as this would merit that of an officer with Magruder’s record and esteem. The design work is well executed with depth and refinement that are superior to routine pieces. Constructed of solid silver, the ewer is decorated with hand chased designs which feature landscape scenes and flowers. The handle is a in the shape of an often-used dragon pattern, neatly detailed and morphs into the foliate scenes. The presentation is located at the center on a smooth surface and reads “Presented to / Lt. W. Thos Magruder U.S.A / by the Union Guard / of A.A. County / Maryland / 1860”. The entire body with the exception of the presentation is covered with relief sculptural ornamentation. The ewer is certainly an elegant gift, but Magruder’s service was not over, as with the outbreak of hostilities in 1861, he was placed in command of Company 11, 2nd US Cavalry with the duty of reconnoitering the Potomac River area. Magruder received a promotion to captain and was reassigned with his old unit, the 1st US Cavalry Regiment in California. Later that fall, while the war was still in its early stages, Magruder returned from Fort Vancouver to San Francisco and embarked for the east on a steamer with Company C and E of the 1st Cavalry, whose enlistment was reaching its expiration date. Magruder commanded several companies in the 1st Cavalry in the summer of 1862 during the Peninsula Campaign. It was during this time that Magruder found it increasingly difficult to draw his saber against Virginia, the sister state of his native Maryland. He received a leave of absence on August 3, 1862 and continued to struggle with his loyalties and where his allegiance should be. After learning of fellow West Point graduates and fellow Maryland officers serving with the Confederacy, as well as hearing of various brutalities which were carried out by federal troops in his home state, Magruder had made up his mind. Captain William Magruder resigned his commission on September 11, 1862 in a letter which he wrote “I am very unwell this morning, and respectfully request the permission of the Gen’l Com’dy to visit Bedford and the springs until my resignation can be heard from.”. His resignation was accepted on October 2, and 15 days later, he was in Richmond where he received a commission as captain in the army of the Confederacy. This was most likely a tough decision, as his relatives who carried the Magruder name fought on both sides during the Civil War. After receiving his commission, William was sent by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to the command of his nephew, Brigadier General Joseph Davis, where Magruder served as assistant adjutant general in various campaigns as part of the Army of Northern Virginia. By the Spring of 1863, Magruder had requested cavalry service and served under Lee when his army crossed the Mason-Dixon Line. As the army crossed Pennsylvania state lines, General Jones was endeavoring to have him promoted and transferred as commander of Witcher’s Mounted Rifles of the 34th Virginia. Magruder was at the epicenter of Gettysburg, during the crucial battle, with General Davis writing of his actions on the first day of the battle stating that Captain W.T. Magruder “rendered valuable service” on the left of the Cashtown turnpike near the railroad cut. On the third day of the battle, Magruder would lead his troops into battle one final time. Davis’ Brigade, were ordered to support General Pickett’s left during the fateful charge. Confederate troops advanced toward the Union line, and not a single gun was fired until they reached the strong post and rail fence about 3/4 mile from the Union position. It was at this point that the Confederate troops “were hammered unmercifully as canister cut the men down by the score and a withering fire of musketry showered the ranks with a hail of lead”. Despite the hellfire raining down upon them, the advance did not halt, but was slowed when they reached the stone wall of the Federal defense line where the fighting was at close quarters. “Colonel Green of the 11th Mississippi was wounded, but the adjutant of the brigade, Captain Magruder was killed on the wall just to the left of the Bryan Barn, while urging others by order and example to do their duty as he saw it”. Davis’ Brigade suffered greater losses than any other Confederate brigade that day, as all of its field officers were either killed or wounded. Magruder was among this statistic, a tragic story, however fitting for a man of his character to be cut down under fire while exhibiting the true qualities of a military officer, by leading his men from the front. Magruder’s family tried to recover his body, however due to the confusion and the tremendous number of casualties, they were unsuccessful. His final resting place is an unmarked grave, only know to his deceased comrades who rest with him. As Dan Hartzler states, Captain William Thomas Magruder, in loving his country, fought for the Union, and died for the Confederacy. CONDITION: The ewer presents exceptionally well with unmolested decorations, exhibiting a pleasing patina without heavy tarnishing. The presentation remains legible with crisp letters. The silver was weighed and registers 29 troy ounces. Overall very good. A very interesting piece of US military history, with significant ties to frontier service and the Civil War.