u/CanISaytheNWord

USCT Cavalryman - 9th Plate Tintype - Possibly John Hammond, 5th Mass. Cav.

Was pleased to add this one to the collection. Sold with a modern ID to John Francis Hammond - 4th USCT Infantry it is likely misattributed given the crossed swords on his kepi. There is however exactly one John Hammond in a Black cavalry regiment, that being the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry. The 5th fought in the opening battles of the Petersburg campaign, guarded prisoners at Fort Delaware and was among the first units to enter Richmond. If the subject is indeed a John Hammond (far from a forgone conclusion) it is likely the cavalryman in the 5th. As an aside - I can see what looks like a brass number above the swords, might be a five but difficult to say

Possible ID, aside I’m happy to add this photo to my collection. USCT images are rare, Black cavalrymen rarer still. Had the good fortune to add some USCT pieces to the collection this year, very happy to add this one to the shelf.

Hi all,

Been collecting lower end vintage watches for a little while now. Thinking about dipping my toe in the higher end. I love the look of the pictured tissot but what would be a fair price for it? Currently listed at 750.

Hands have been relumed. Per the seller it is “running and keeping time” but no service history. Thanks in advance!

Hi all,

I paid about $150 for this 1950s/60s invicta de luxe. Ran ok for a few days but now the crown won’t wind. I like the look quite a bit but given that I’m only into it for $150 do folks think this watch is worth servicing or should I keep an eye out for a similar model?

Welcome opinions!

163 years ago today the 54th Massachusetts led the assault on Fort Wagner.

The ribbon is for an 1887 reunion. The front bears a portrait of Governor John Andrew who was a leading figure in the raising and recruitment of the 54th.

One of the first black regiments, the 54th was recruited from Boston free men, escaped slaves, led by white officers. They famously distinguished themselves at Fort Wagner, an epochal moment in African American history. In addition to their lesser known, but no less valorous, roles at Grimball’s Landing, Olustee, Honey Hill, and Boykin’s Mill.

The USCT has always been an interest of mine. The image of the freedman or escaped slave earning their freedom by the sword is quintessentially American. Given the scarcity of USCT ephemera I am quite pleased to be the custodian of this ribbon.

A beautiful gold cross, engraved on the reverse: “Presented by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to the youngest soldier in the Confederate Army”. The suspension bar is engraved: “F. M. Ironmonger Jr”.

Francis Ironmonger Jr. was born March 1853 in Portsmouth Virginia. At the start of the war his father, Francis Ironmonger Sr. was commissioned as a captain in the 16th Virginia Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade. As the war ranged, Ironmonger was forced to flee Portsmouth eventually taking refuge in far from the frontlines in Central Virginia.

In the winter of 1864, at the age of 11, Ironmonger would commandeer a horse, ride to the frontlines at Petersburg, and attach himself to his father’s regiment. Serving as a courier (allegedly briefly for General Mahone himself) and frequently under fire. Ironmonger served with the 16th until Appomattox and, accordingly to his postwar telling, was within fifty feet of the McLean House when the surrender was signed.

Postwar Ironmonger would eventually move to Florida where he was active in veterans affairs, including attending the 75th Gettysburg Reunion. Ironmonger passed away in December 1939 at the age of 86

Pictured is a staff badge for the 1915 Richmond UCV reunion. This badge belonged to the Adj. General and Chief of Staff for the Virginia Division of the UCV. With a little research I was able to determine that Boyd M. Smith was the adjutant general and chief of staff for 1915 - meaning this was his badge.

Boyd Mason Smith was born in Alexandria on June 6th, 1844. In January 1863 at age 18 Smith enlisted in the 4th Virginia Cavalry. Upon enlisting Smith was immediately detailed as a courier on the staff of General JEB Stuart. Private Smith saw heavy action while serving on Stuart’s staff, including at Brandy Station, Gettysburg on Day 3, Yellow Tavern and Trevallian Station to name a few.

In late July/early August 1864 Smith transferred to the newly formed Company E, 43rd Virginia Cavalry under Colonel Mosby. With the Grey Ghost, now Sgt. Smith would harass federals across northern Virginia. Notably Smith was involved in the capture of Union General Alfred N. Duffie in August 1864. Smith and the Rangers would torment federals all the way up to the end of the war, where Mosby’s command disbanded rather than surrender.

Postwar, Smith removed to Mineral, Va and was active in veterans affairs. He served many positions in the leadership of Virginia’s UCV Division, including of course, Adjutant General and Chief of Staff in 1915. Smith died in 1921 at the age of 77.

All in all a wonderful badge with a great history. As someone who often travels through “Mosby’s Confederacy” I’m quite pleased to add this bit of local history to my collection.

From the good folks at the Union Drummer Boy. Pictured is an early Smith patent strip and CDV, id’d to Major Charles P. Chandler of the 1st Massachusetts who was killed leading a charge at Glendale during the Seven Days Battles. The CDV is id’d with pencil and the strap has an old yellowed tag glued on the reverse.

Charles P Chandler was born in 1835 in Maine but relocated to Boston to attend Harvard.

In May 1861 Chandler accepted a commission, as Lieutenant and later Captain of a militia battalion in Boston. As the state began to organize regiments Chandler was then commissioned a major in the 1st Massachusetts Infantry. The pictured CDV was likely taken while Chandler was still a Lt/Cpt.

The 1st went south in July but served in primarily garrison roles until early 1862 when they were sent to the Virginia Peninsula. Their first taste of combat came at Yorktown, in April. The 1st was in constant action that took them from the gates of Richmond and back. At Glendale on June 30, Major Chandler was killed leading the 1st in a countercharge against Longstreet’s division. Chandler’s body was never recovered, meaning this shoulder strap was likely a on dress uniform or a spare and returned to Chandler’s family with his effects.

A recent pick up, and very much a grail item. Pictured is a nicely toned brass badge, in the shape of badge the 25th Corps. Suspended from a bar, engraved “M. M. Holland”. Hardware on the reverse suggests 1890–1900s. This piece used to be in the collection of Walter F. Reily, who had one or two other items attributed to Holland.

Milton M. Holland was born into slavery in Texas. Perhaps the son of his master Bird Holland. Bird Holland freed Milton and his brother and send them to Ohio for education.

Following the Emancipation Proclamation 20 year old Holland enlisted in the 5th U.S. Colored Troops. Like most USCT regiments, the 5th spent their early term of service on guard duty and performing other rear echelon functions. But at the start of the Petersburg Campaign the 5th was pulled onto the frontlines. The regiment was on the field at the Crater and several other engagements. At New Market Heights Sgt Major Holland took command of his company after all his officers had been killed or wounded. It was for this action that Holland earned the Medal of Honor. General Butler said after the fact that had it not been for Holland’s race he would’ve made brigadier general.

Now operating under the nearly all-black 25th Corps the 5th was reassigned to North Carolina. Where they participated in the capture of Wilmington and Sherman’s Carolina Campaign.

Postwar Holland settled in Washington DC. He earned a law degree from Howard and started the first Black owned insurance company in DC. When he passed away in 1910 he left behind a sizable estate. Milton M. Holland was born into slavery and buried at Arlington Cemetery. You’d be hard pressed to find a better encapsulation of the American Dream.