535I

PAIR OF AMERICAN MILITIA EPAULETS AND CIVIL WAR P

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:275.00 USD Estimated At:550.00 - 750.00 USD
PAIR OF AMERICAN MILITIA EPAULETS AND CIVIL WAR P
PAIR OF AMERICAN MILITIA EPAULETS AND CIVIL WAR PERIOD POSTAL COVER ADDRESSED TO HOWELL COBB. This group consists of a Civil War period postal cover measuring 3” X 5” addressed to “Major General Howell Cobb/at Home” in period ink. Accompanying the cover is a small clipped edge glued tag (which appears to be from the 1950’s or 1960’s) upon which is written “Shoulder Epaulettes of Gen. Howell Cobb/Defender of Macon, Ga.”. There is a pair of French manufactured American militia dress epaulets for a junior officer made of gilt cloth, having gilt brass crescents, narrow hanging fringe and yellow silk undersides. The brass hook is stamped with a tiny crown and wreath and “Marque de Fabrique” (maker’s mark). These epaulets are typical of American militia officer’s rank epaulets from the period 1850-60. I am unable to determine, from my examination, the authenticity of the provenance. Howell Cobb was an American political and military figure. He served as a Congressman and in the Presidential Cabinet of James Buchanan and then in the civic and military service of Civil War-era Georgia and the Confederate States of America. Born in Jefferson County, Georgia, he was raised in Athens, Georgia and attended Franklin College. He was admitted to the bar in 1836 and became solicitor general of the western judicial circuit of Georgia. He was elected as Democrat to the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st Congresses. He was chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Mileage during the 28th Congress, and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives during the 31st Congress. In 1851 he left Congress to serve as the Governor of Georgia, holding that post until 1853. He was again elected to Congress then took the position of Secretary of the Treasury in Buchanan's Cabinet. He served for three years, resigning in December 1860. In 1860, he ceased to be a Unionist, and became a leader of the secession movement. He was president of the convention of the seceded states which drafted a constitution for the Confederacy which assembled in Montgomery, Alabama, on February 24, 1861. Later he was appointed a brigadier general in the Confederate Army and promoted to major general in1863. He surrendered at Macon, Georgia, April 20, 1864. From the close of the war until his death he vigorously opposed the Reconstruction Acts. He died in New York City in 1868. He is buried in Athens, Georgia. CONDITION: Epaulets are well worn and show a dull patina overall with some snags and pulls to the gilt wire and cloth. Undersides are tattered with losses to the silk covering. Postal cover is fine. 4-54858 (550-750)