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1860s Civil War Era Soldier’s Folding Leather Wallet, Belonging to L.J. Powers

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
1860s Civil War Era Soldier’s Folding Leather Wallet, Belonging to L.J. Powers
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Civil War
“Identified” Original Civil War Era Soldier’s Folding Wallet
c. 1860 Civil War Era, Union Soldier’s Decorative Folding Leather Wallet, Belonging to L. J. Powers of Springfield, Massachusetts, Includes a January 1, 1864, North Carolina 50 Cent Currency Note, Choice Very Fine.
Civil War era soldier's four-fold, folding Wallet is identified as belonging to Lorenzo J Powers, an Infantryman in the famous 2nd Massachusetts Regiment Volunteer Infantry. Powers name is tooled into the leather, inside at the top of the first fold. It has various pockets for period Currency, Fractional Currency, Coins and Encased Postage Stamps. The piece is in excellent condition, supple and soft, rich patina leather with no issues. Measures 4 1/4" by 2 3/4" when folded, and 12" when fully open. Lorenzo Powers was captured in Winchester, VA during the Jackson Valley Campaign in May 1862, later paroled and fought at Antietam and Chancellorsville. On June 9th 1863 at Brandy Station, Lorenzo was severely wounded in the right leg and it had to be amputated. This wonderful, decorative museum quality Wallet includes a circulated January 1, 1864, North Carolina 50 Cent Note with an edge burn near top center, probably a keepsake. (2 items)
Lorenzo J Powers enlisted May 25th 1861 into Co F of the 2nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (same Regiment as the famous Captain Shaw, later Colonel Shaw of the 54th Colored Mass Infantry), Lorenzo was captured in Winchester, VA in May of 1862 during the Jackson Valley campaign and paroled in June, he returned to the regiment and fought at Antietam in the cornfield and at Chancellorsville.

On June 9th 1863 his unit was assigned to General John Buford's Cavalry and crossed the Rappahannock river at Beverly Ford as part of the 11,000 man raid on the Confederate Cavalry at Brandy Station- during the long hard day's fight Lorenzo was severely wounded in the right leg- it had to be amputated. Powers was then discharged for wounds on January 25th 1864.