1st Sgt. Ballentine – Rush’s Lancers, 6th PA Cavalry

lot consists of:

• Colt Army revolver, Serial No. 124846, made the 2nd half of 1863. Caliber .44. The markings are sharp, wood grips and inspector cartouche equally as strong. Strong case color on frame, and bottom of butt, with color on backstrap thin. Barrel and lever show some color, but likely diminished due to a long time in the holster leather. All matching numbers, and overall a pleasing looking revolver.  See photos for condition.
• sword belt, holster and cap box.  tired leather, but displayable, seam mostly open on holster, plug missing, Belt missing front saber hanger.
• spurs, no markings
• parade sash, with silver 1830s era helmet eagle plate, Post Civil War likely usage.
• cigar case, leather, match safe at top, missing larger door for matches.
• American Watch Co, Model of 1857, post war pocket watch and chain, made in 1878, with key, and extra false embroidered “6”
• M1872 forage cap with “6”, brim loose.
• Horse hair.  Auction stated Ballentine held on to tail that pulled him out of a river while drowning, recorded in one of the letters sold in another lot prior to this grouping.
• Photo taken in 1920.
• Recruiting card for Rush’s cavalry, his comp’y K.
• 2 discharges, 1861 / 1865
•  2 appointments  sgt and 1st sgt, 1863 /1865  signed by Col. Leiper,
• Misc documents for co. K.  One documents has signed endorsements, by Col. L, Col. Crowninshield, 2nd Mass Cav,
• Pension paper listing battles he was in, and history – copies of Auction listings from last year.

Hamilton Ballentine, was a 27 year old coachman when he enlisted as a sergeant into Co. “K,” 6th Pa Cavalry on October 21, 1861 at Philadelphia. He re-enlisted on Jan. 1, 1864, then in June of 1865 he transferred into “K” Co. Pa Provisional Cavalry, and again mustered out at Louisville, Ky on August 7, 1865.  It seems that Co. K of the 6th Pa, was incorporated into the Prov. Cavalry made up of the 1st and 17th regiments.

Early in the war, the 6th Pa Cavalry, or better known as Rush’s Lancers and adopted the Napoleon style lance, the only regiment in the Union Army to have done so, also a much outdated weapon, and in 1863 were armed with Sharps carbines.  The 6th had a long record of engagements during the war, (I have encluded a list of engagements, along with Ballentine’s and the regiments history.

On the Encampment No. 20, Union Veteran Legion statement of service, Ballentine listed his engagements he took part in. I have photographed that, and worth a look!

Some of the notable signatures included with the documents are:

Colonel Charles L. Leiper, (brevet brig. gen.), He joined the 6th as a lieutenant without any formal military training, attaining the command of the regiment in the fall of 1864. He lead a saber charge at Brandy station, and at Todd’s Tavern in one of the heated engagements, Leiper was the only unwounded officer and had command of the regiment as a captain at that time.  Leiper was only a 22 year old officer at the time of his discharge in 1865.

Colonel Casper Crowninshield, (brevet brig, gen,),  Harvard roommate of Robert Gould Shaw. He initially mustered into the 20th Mass. Infantry, then transferred to the 1st Mass. Cavalry.  He later commanded the 2nd Mass Cavalry in Jan, of 1863.

Brigadier Gen. Thomas C. Devin, commanding 1st Cavalry Division, at the time of his signing a document here.  He received a brevet of major-general of volunteers for his services during the war. After the war he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 8th U. S. cavalry, July 28, 1866, and on March 2, 1867, he was brevetted colonel U. S. A. for gallantry at Fisher’s hill, and brigadier-general for distinguished service at Sailor’s creek. He was promoted colonel of the 3d U. S. cavalry, June 25, Gen. Grant is said to have ranked Gen. Devin as second only to Sheridan as a cavalry officer.

Other officers from the 6th Pa Cav. and Pa Prov. Cavalry.