Lot 132: Civil War Material

Estimate: $9,000 – $12,000

The Captain Francis Edwin Goodwin collection of Civil War material to include: the Presentation Civil War saber with 31″ blade, unsigned, with two fullers on both sides down three-quarters of the blade, openwork brass “D” guard engraved “Presented to F.E. Goodwin, Worcester, Mass.”, twisted brass wrapped fish skin, average to good condition, light rust on blade, with original leather scabbard with brass, scrape and hangers unmarked (leather is dried and slightly bent at tip), early tag in script reading “Captain Francis Goodwins belt buckle, sword and pistol…”; Captain F.E. Goodwin’s carte-de-visite photograph portrait of Frank E. Goodwin, Capt. 25 Regiment, Mass., marked on back by “Case & Getchell, Photographic Artists, 299 1/2 Washington Street, Boston.”; A Presentation Model 2 Army Smith and Wesson .32 caliber revolver, patent on the barrel “July 5, 1859 & Dec 18, 1860”, “Presented by G.G. Reed to F.E. Goodwin, Worcester, Mass. Serial #745”, marked “Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass.” on the top of the barrel (6″), tip-up, spur trigger, 6-shot revolver with rammer pin under the barrel, factory blueing is 80%, overall excellent condition, and possibly never fired;

Hand-hammered belt buckle, with Federal spread winged eagle, and shield and banner of E Pluribus Unum above, surrounded with 13 stars, and holding arrows and an olive branch in talons, 2″ x 3 1/2″; Leather belt holster with silvered brass closure and single belt loop on back, shows wear but overall supple condition, 11 1/2″ l; Supple leather belt pouch with two flaps, top flap with strap for brass closure button, overall good condition with in-use wear, 4″ x 4″; Packet of F.E. Goodwin documents to include the Mass. (Gov. John A. Andrew) appointment of Frank E. Goodwin of Worcester as First Lt. of Company A in the Twenty-Fifth Regiment, Oct. 12, 1861; and a second Mass. document appointing Francis E. Goodwin Captain in the 25th Regiment March 20, 1862;

Documents of the Grand Army of the Republic, New Hampshire for F.E. Goodwin, 1869; Discharge for Captain Goodwin in Oct. 1864 at age 31; Bill of Sale for one sword strap – .75, one sword knot – .35, one coat sling $2.50, dated Oct. 25, 1861; War Department Orders, dated Aug. 1, 1864, to report to Col. John Hendrickson at Gallops Island in Boston Harbor per order of D.D. Townsend, Secy. of War, Asst. Adj. General; membership papers for the “Loyal Legion” April 1903; and the Marriage Certificate, 1904, to Emma Palmer of Roxbury, Mass., May 10;

And an important Day Book/Journal “Marsh’s Long Octavo Diary: 1862”, traces of blood stain on front bottom of yellow pages, written in pencil daily, describes battles: 11/02/1862 – Battle of Rawls Mills (NC), short battle/skirmish, Union victory; 12/14/1862 – Battle of Kinston (NC), short battle, Union victory, lasted 10am – 2pm, “Terrible Battle both sides suffered severely. Captured 11 pieces of Artillery.”; 12/16/1862 – Battle of White Hall (Ferry), (NC), wanted to take the bridge at White Hall, Confederates burned the bridge rather than let the Union forces take it, contested victory; 12/17/1862 – Battle of Goldsboro Bridge (NC), Union soldiers successfully burned down the railroad bridge, Union victory, “We drove the rebels twice acrost [sic] the river and burnt the R.R. Bridge and tore up the track.”