LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

72077

Major General Philip Sheridan's Ornate Saddle Cl

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:80,000.00 - 120,000.00 USD
Major General Philip Sheridan's Ornate Saddle Cl
<B>Major General Philip Sheridan's Ornate Saddle Cloth</B></I> Major General Philip Sheridan was one of General Ulysses S. Grant's favorite commanders. A West Point graduate, Class of 1853, Sheridan was promoted to captain after the attack on Fort Sumter. He later fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge and at Corinth where he met Brigadier General William T. Sherman who was influential in seeing that Sheridan was given his own regiment, the 2nd Michigan Cavalry. Sheridan would become fast friends with General Grant and go on to become one of the most famous cavalrymen of the Union Army.<BR><BR>This ornate saddlecloth was owned and used by General Sheridan in the Civil War. Measuring 46” across and 39” from front to back, the blanket graced the back of General Sheridan's famous mount Rienzi, a horse he later named Winchester after he made is famous ride in October 1864 to rally his troops and defeat Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early. It was for that action that President Abraham Lincoln promoted Sheridan to major general, the two-star designation which appears on this elaborate saddle blanket. After Sheridan's famous horse on which this blanket was used died, he was stuffed and is now in the Smithsonian Institution.<BR><BR>The dark blue felt of the blanket is trimmed by two 1 ¼” gold bands. The entire blanket is trimmed in a gold-colored leather trim as well. At the rear bottom corners of the blanket are two heavy gold bullion federal eagles with two five-pointed bullion stars above signifying Sheridan's rank of major general. The entire cloth and bullion along with the trim is laid down on heavy black saddle leather on the underside of the blanket. There are two leather slits in the blanket for the cinch strap to be threaded through, each heavily lined inside and out with black leather. There is some cloth loss on each side from saddle wear and natural cracking at the top of the blanket, however the blanket is in overall good condition.<BR><BR>Major General Sheridan would go on to completely defeat Confederate General Early's army in the Appomattox Campaign and was instrumental in forcing General Robert E. Lee's surrender. He was not promoted to lieutenant general until 1869, thus making this saddle blanket used by him through the remainder of the Civil War and the West, in Texas, and on the Great Plains in Indian fighting with Custer serving along side him.<BR><BR>This is a beautiful and remarkable saddle blanket owned by one of the most famous and effective generals of the Civil War.<BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>Francis Lord, General Philip Sheridan's granddaughter; The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I><BR><BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I>*****<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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