December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2024
An interesting example of Civil War camp art carved by a Union prisoner at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas. Flat wood base plug with iron loop. Faceted neck. Two-ring, chip carved spout. The main body bears a nicely done stern-wheel riverboat with U.S flag, as well as a provocative Lady Liberty, also with a flag, and a partially completed small figure with a feathered headdress. The upper portion of the horn is inscribed: “J. ROOT / PRISONER OF WAR / CAMP / FORD / TYLER / TEXAS / CAPTURED / ON USS SIGNAL / AT SNAGGY POINT RED / RIVER La. MAY 5th 1864. The ship pictured on the horn is an accurate representation of the USS Signal, a US Navy “tin-clad” gunboat operating on the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers in the Vicksburg campaign and in 1864 part of the Red River Campaign. Returning down river with dispatches from Alexandria, LA, on May 4, it joined another Union gunboat and a troop transport, and all three were attacked from shore by a Confederate cavalry brigade and artillery battery at a river bend known as Snaggy Point in a fight lasting into May 5. The transport was forced to surrender; the other gunboat grounded and was set afire to avoid capture; the Signal, with engine disabled was forced to surrender. Union forces lost some 500 men killed, wounded and captured in the ambush and Confederates a mere ten wounded. The Signal’s crew were interned at Camp Ford, which held close to 5,000 Union POWs, most from Banks’s failed Red River Campaign. Six of the Signal’s crew received medals of honor for heroism in the fighting. Root was likely a crewman, though others may have been aboard as well. CONDITION: Very good. Fully legible artwork and lettering. No cracks or breaks.
Item Dimensions: L: 11"