Sergeant George H. Muzzey, 26th Mass Vols Grouping. – SOLD

Description

George H. Muzzey from Lowell, Massachusetts, was 19 years of age when he enlisted as a private in Company “F,” 26th Massachusetts Infantry for three year.  He re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer in January of 1864. Muzzey had promotions to  sergeant while in Louisiana and reduced in rank something after returning to the company and prior to mustering out at Savannah, Georgia, on August 26, 1865.  He had the misfortune of being capture with forty some others from the 26th Mass. near Newtown, Virginia on October 26, 1864, when a acting as guards for a forage train, were surprised by Confederate cavalry. They were held as  prisoners of war at the infamous Libby Prison, in Richmond, Va. until his exchange in March of 1865.  Muzzey rejoined the regiment while encamped at Winchester, Virginia. The regiment moved to Savannah, Ga. arriving at that place on June 8, 1865.

This grouping consists of the following:

• Oval framed albuman photo in early state jacket. Noted on the back “Picture taken 1864”
• CDV- of Muzzey full standing shot in same uniform.  Same dating on lower mount.  Signed in pencil on the back; photographed by Gilchrest, Lowell.
• CDV of Muzzey  wearing federal frock coat, shoulder scales, waist belt with cap box.  “To Mother.” Photographed by E. Jacobs, New Orleans.
• 5 CDVs – 2 of George in civilian clothing (one is signed); presumably his wife with these three taken by Gilchrest, Lowell; an older gent, and a soldier in frock coat, vest (upper bust), taken by Denman & McNair, Piqua, Ohio.  No identification on the last two.
• 1/6 plate tintype of two soldiers in frock coats, no identification, but Muzzey may be the soldier on left. Image is a bit fuzzy.
• 1/6 plate tintype of a soldier in shell jacket, with patriotic mat.   The last two images are each cased in the same leatherette cases.
• George Muzzey’s silver 19th Army Corps badge, with the center engraved, “26th” with a banner pin brooch engraved with his name.  Civil War worn badge, with early “T” bar pin.  Came attached to the velvet case lining.
• Issue brass stencil, 1 5/8 x 5 1/8 inches.
• Muzzey’s infantry sergeant’s chevrons, worsted wool tape sewn on dark blue wool. Appear to have been on uniform, some light mothing on the edges in a few small areas.
• Combination tarred linen roll-up housewife and writing kit.  When unrolled is approximately 10.5 inches and 13.5 inches. A three layered zig-zag cut pin and needle cushion has a general service button sewn at the center.  The pouch beneath this held the sewing materials. A narrower pouch on the far side held writing impliments, sealing wax, etc. (red, black wax, wooden pen with iron nib hold minus nib, and a small pencil are the only writing accessories. This writing pouch will balloon out allowing it to hold ink, and more accessories. There are two different pin cushions, thread, a loose pin and needle cushion of white wool, 6 japanned iron buttons, and 9 small white porcelain buttons, a hand made awl 3 3/4 inches long, and a iron thimble.  There is a center pocket about 2 .5 inches wide. The kit is wrinkled, lined with a black grosgrain trim, and overall in very good condition.
• There is a horn cased straight razor, made by Wade & Butcher, Sheffield, a shaving brush with turned bone handle with mother of pearl inlay at top. His bone toothbrush retains nearly all the bristles and is 5 1/4 inches long. His knife is English made as well, with wood handles, with rusty blade. There was no fork or spoon.
• Two sections of the same type wood from Libby Prison; one has a period label written in ink “Libby Prison /S.H.” (4 inches long) and the other piece, a bit more jagged, has “Libby” scratched on it. (nearly 4 inches).  I don’t know if the initials signify a location in the prison or is they were given to Muzzey later, ?
• Burl wood carved ring, incorporating infantry accoutrements on it, such as the cartridge box with US oval plate, belt with over US buckle, cap box and bayonet scabbard, No markings.  A small sized ring for a woman’s finger.  Fine work and detail.
• Muzzey liked baseball, and had his own bat and ball. the 38 inch bat with 2 inch circumference, has his initials stamped on the wide end.  The handle area is typical of early bats, and widest reduces down to the other end with the flare that allows a steady grip. A great age patina on the wood, with no other markings visible. There are small dings, cracks, chips mostly toward the business end of the bat.
• The leather baseball is very crude, and stitched with double threads;  called the “lemon peel”  cut in four sections (not completely through) and brought sections brought together.  Soft filler, most likely horse hair, hemp, etc., and very light. Approximately 2 1/4 inch diameter.  Stitches hold tightly.
• Sergeant’s appointment signed again, by Col. Farr, and J.S. Cooke, 1st Lt. & Adj. dated 3 June, 1863, at New Orleans, La.
• Sergeant’s appointment signed by Colonel A.B. Farr, and adjutant Houghton, dated at New Iberia, La., 2 January, 1864
• Discharge for Sergeant, 4 January, 1864, at New Iberia, La.- re-enlistment as Veteran Vol., signed by Col. Farr.
• Discharge  for Muzzey as corporal, dated 26 August, 1865, signed by Capt. Henry L. Wood, Capt. 12th Me. Vols. (mustering officer), and J.A. Troy, Capt 26th Mass, comdg. Compy. A.
• Document, Special Order No 88., Head Quarters District of Savannah, July 7, 1865; orders for Muzzey to be detailed to the officer of the Relief Commission; to report to Capt..  J.S. Cook.  Signed, J.B. Babcock, Major and acting AAGen’l. Has some staining and small tear.
• Small broadside, “Fourth Of July Celebration / Grand Gala Day. / Sport! Sport! Sport!  The officers of the 52nd Regt. Penn. Vols., assisted by officers from all other Regiments of Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery, at the Grove, near the 52nd Camp.”  Continues on with listing of of various events, with music by the First Brigade Brass Band. 5.5 x 11 inches, with separations in folds , small tears, etc.  Dated in pencil, 1863 at the top of the broadside.
• Letter, Camp near Falmouth, Va., April 26, 1863. “…I think that before many days passes we shall be over the Rappahanock. The Rappahanock is a hard road  to travel, but I think that we shall give the rebs a hard one this time. The boys are improving the time now to play baseball. The 10th Mass. and the 36th N.Y. played a game last week in which the 10th were victorious……Dress parade…General Devens made his farewell speech..taking charge of the 11th Corps.” Muzzey describes how each corps has distinctive marks, divisions have different colors, etc. …the cross (19th) is worn on the cap or hat…more.  3 page letter.
• Letter, Camp near Fort Stevens, June 1, 1865.  To Muzzey’s mother; lengthy description of a baseball game with 15 men picked from the remainder of the Brigade…”We played two games and a part of another when the Drummer Call beat for Drill.  The first game we played we beat them 21 to 12 on our own ground then we went to their ground & beat them 21 to 15. the third game we commenced we got 9 to their 1 when the drums beat thereby putting a stop to the game.” 4 page letter.

That completes the grouping, and an honest one it is.  It came out of the Stamatelos Collection, Cambridge, Mass.,  to The Horse Soldier, Gettysburg, Pa., to a collector in October of 2009, and purchased my me recently.

A great group with an interesting array of material for one soldier from Lowell, Massachusetts.