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Trunk Belonging to Capt. George H. Howe, 57th MA Infantry (Killed at Petersburg)

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Trunk Belonging to Capt. George H. Howe, 57th MA Infantry (Killed at Petersburg)

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Auction Date:2018 Jul 11 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
A typical luggage trunk of the Civil War period belonging to Capt. George H. Howe of the 57th Massachusetts Infantry, who was killed at Petersburg. The trunk measures 24? x 10 1/2? x 14?. The ends and edges are reinforced with riveted sheet metal protectors, as well as oaken spars providing additional protection on the top of the lid and floor. The trunk retains its original black painted finish with Capt. Howe's stenciled name and unit in white on one end. The unit designation is mostly obscured by a large paper shipping label that reads: “[Ad]ams Exp[re]ss, from Fortress Monroe, VA.” The interior of the trunk is lined with circa 1930s–40s wallpaper.

George H. Howe was a 23 year old school teacher from Monson, MA, when he enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant on September 9, 1862. He was commissioned into Co. G, 46th MA Infantry on the same day and served until the unit mustered out in July of the following year. He re-enlisted on November 2, 1863, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. E, 57th MA Infantry, and was promoted to Captain on January 25, 1864. The 57th had a hard service history and, as the regimental history states: ‘The 57th was one of the first regiments to enter the ‘Crater,’ near Petersburg, on the morning of July 30, 1864. The regiment at this time was a mere skeleton, mustering less than 100 officers and men. Here General Bartlett, the brigade commander, was taken prisoner, Major Prescott and Captains Howe and Dresser of the 57th and one enlisted man were killed, 16 officers and men were wounded, 28 were missing, and the colors were lost. Only Lieutenant Doty and 46 men were left of this veteran regiment.’ This is a rather tragic piece of Civil War personal property, having belonged to a man who lost his life in one of the most famous episodes of the Siege of Petersburg.