Presentation Cane From Jefferson Barracks, Mo. – To Son of a Mexican War Officer. – SOLD

This cane with a great family history connecting a father’s service and death in the Mexican War, and his son, a Civil War officer, and a piece of wood that came from the barracks officer’s quarters, built at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, in 1826.

1st Lieutenant Lott Henderson Ridgely served in the U.S. 4th Infantry regiment,  stationed at Jefferson Barracks in 1843, and along with his wife Mary Benson Ridgely were quartered in the building from with this piece of wood came.  Lieutenant Ridgely was killed in Mexica in 1847, receiving a mortal wound at the battle of Galaxara Pass.  Many mourned his death including a close friend Ulysses S. Grant, and Brigadier General Joseph Lane.  After the death of Lieutenant Ridgely, Joseph Lane adopted the the young lieutenant’s son, Franklin Lee Ridgely.

Frank Ridgely received admission to the Naval Academy in 1855, but did not graduate.  He did receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the 6th U.S. Infantry and fought in the Peninsula Campaign, but later resigned due to poor health. He moved to St. Louis, and in later years became the commissioner of Parks in St. Louis, and was responsible for raising several monuments to Civil War veterans thought several parks and cemeteries, including the one at Jefferson Barracks. Frank Ridgely passed away in 1916.

The presentation cane, has a profusely engraved silver tip, on the rounded top and the octagonal sides. The knob reads, ” F.L. Ridgely / from/ Capt Geo K. Hunter / and ? Lieut. P.W. West / US Army / January 1, 1898.” The sides read, “The Wood in this Cane Came from Quarters Built at Jefferson Barracks MO. 1826 –  Which Were Occupied in 1843 by Leiut. Henderson Ridgely 4th US Infy – and His Wife Mary Benson Ridgely and – Where Their Daughter Octavia was born October 6, 1843, – Henderson Ridgely was killed in Mexico in 1847 – Official Report –  A Victim to Gallantry Never Surpassed.”

The officers presenting the cane were with the 3rd U.S. Cavalry, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, prior to their going with the regiment to Cuba. George King Hunter, was a graduate of the USMA, and later a veteran of several campaigns during the Indian Wars, then Spanish American and WWI service.  He retired as a brigadier general in 1919.  Lieutenant Parker Whitney West graduated from the USMA in 1881, and saw frontier duty with the 3rd Cavalry, He was at Jefferson Barracks from 1897 to April of 1898 prior to his service in the Spanish War, and was Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Cavalry Division, Tampa, Fa. May 17, ’98. He like Hunter saw service in the Philippines. West accompanied Gen, Arthur MacArthur to Japan (1904-1905) as an observer with Japanese Army in Manchuria. He retired a major in the 13th Cavalry for disability in line of duty on November 1909. I am assuming that the presentation was given by these two officers because they may have provided assistance to helping Ridgely in raising veteran monuments, and also learning of the history of his father having been stationed at the Barracks in 1843, as well as being moved by his death during the Mexican War.

The cane is approximately 34 inches and finished with a German Silver and iron tip. In fine condition.

This cane come with some research paperwork. The image of the officer is a wartime photo of Frank while serving with the 6th US Infantry.

A wonder and practical piece of history.