Major General Horatio G. Wright’s Monogramed Dorflinger Engraved Glassware

Major General Horatio G. Wright’s Monogramed Dorflinger Engraved Glassware, and other related items.

This Dorflinger glass ware came from the Wright Estate many years ago.  I came into possession of the General’s monogrammed glassware from a fellow collector who purchased it from a well known Gettysburg military dealer George Lower who’s business was named “The Gettysburg Sutler.”

Along with this material were other items from Gen. Wright; several of his diaries, dress uniform components, etc.

Purchased in the late 1959s ( I have photographed the list), all that came then is here, minus one of the ruby goblets.  One of the champagne glasses has a crack, and perhaps some other minor flaws on the other glass, but extremely minimal at the least.

The monogram (I find them strange every time I see one) has the General’s initials engraved with the middle inital “G” large and at the center with “H” & “W” intertwined.

One of the decanter stoppers is missing, again missing when purchased in the 1950’s.

The other material consists of : A CDV of Gen. Wright, in fair conditionhe, with the corner broken and repaired.

• A souvenir card given to those who attended the Monument raised by the surviving members of the 6th Army Corps. Some soiling, 3.5 x 5 inches.
• 1911 photograph of the Wright home in Clinton, Connecticut, with family lineage on the reverse.
• Similar view with more info on reverse, home built in 1811.
• Copy of Edward Wright’s last will and testament, all in the hand, and signed by General Wright. Edward was the General’s father who passed away in 1867, leaving the estate to two brothers, Edward, and Elisha (the General receiving $500.00 dollars).
• Some period circa 1900 photos of the monument to the 6th Corps. The obelisk was raised on the grave site at Arlington National Cemetery,
• Newspaper obituary from the Washington Times, July 3, 1899.
• Research papers on his career, etc.

Horatio Gouverneur Wright (1820-1899), was a graduate of the USMA Class of 1841, and joined the Corps of Engineers. He has a very fine military record, particularly during the Civil War. I will not go into his history during the war, but will mention a few things. Wright was given command of the 6th Army Corps after the death of Major General John Sedgwick, who was killed by a confederate sharpshooter at the Battle of Spottsylvania. Gen. James Ricketts, with the senior division commander at the time, but prior to his death, Sedgwick had made it known if anything happened to him. he preferred Wright to take command of the Corps.

The other main topic for this writing; I believe Wright was the main reason the Union Army was able to claim a victory at the Battle of Cedar Creek, VA.  Gen. Sherman’s timely return to the field, and reaching Cedar Creek in the nick of time, was given credit for rallying the troops, when Wright has essentially performed that task. ( a great read for the student of that famous and important battle in the Shenandoah in 1864. Wright has several commands during the war, and following the hostilities, he became the Chief of Engineers in 1879 with the rank of brigadier in the regular army.  Photos of the 6th Corps obelisk in this lot, were taken at his gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery.

I don’t normally sell glassware, but believe this to be a significant lot, used personally to entertain very important guests, I wonder who?