#9. Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection; Philippines To Pre WWI. SOLD

Photos and manuals, etc of Lieutenant Offley commanding Troop “F,” 1st Cavalry.

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Having had an incredible amount of material belonging to career cavalry officer, Colonel Edward M. Offley, we tried to keep the collection intact for years now, but sadly I must break up the collection in the attempt to move it along. There will be single and small lots, as well as larger groups with combinations of uniforms, insignia, photo and or paper, etc.  All lots offered will be titled, “Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection.

 

1906 to 1916 are the years represented with this lot of mostly photos, 2 manuals, and a souvenir Philippine knife in scabbard.  In July of 1906, the 2nd Sqd. of the 1st Cavalry marched to Camp Mabry, near Austin, Texas for maneuvers, and it is here that the first cabinet photo was taken, dated Aug, 1906.  The image is mounted along with a vignette for the 1st Cavalry, and is a group photo of officers and staff.  Offley is seated second from right. He was then acting Commissary.  The mount on the reverse has all the names of the officers photoed (there is also a printed list of those in the photo).  The mount has clipped corners at the top, otherwise in fine condition. Image size 5×7;

Being promoted to 1st Lt. on July 24, 1907 he was transferred to the 12th Cavalry, but quickly returned to the 1st Cav. in august. The 1st had arrived in the Philippines in January of 1907 with Offley in command of Troop “F.”  The next photo is a group portrait of that unit, dated October 20th.  The troop guidon is mounted on the wall behind them, with Offley seated in the center, sword being held with both hands below the hilt.  Taken at Fort Stotsenbury, P.I., and identified in ink on reverse as well as having an additional note in pencil reading, “Sgt Vaiers third man to left of Lt. Offley, who is of first row. Taken Saturday morning, Oct. 20, after inspection.” This note is also written under the ink not, the bottom transcribed at a latter time.  8×10, mounted (mount cropped to the dimensions of the photo. Condition is very good.  The next cabinet photo shows Offley mounted on “Bonita,” while at Ft. Stotsenburg. Size is 5×7, image size slightly smaller, and framed in period gilt frame, and in fine condition.

Somewhere in the Philippines Lt. Offley picked up this souvenir knife in scabbard, crudely made of iron made from some tool or part of a machine perhaps.  The hilt is brass, with wood inserts, and decorated with brass and ivory (possibly bone). The leather scabbard is missing its tip.  Overall length is 18 1/4 inches, and in very good condition with some of the brass/ivory decoration missing.

President Woodrow Wilson signed Offley’s commission to captain of cavalry on 17 August, 1916.  It was also signed by Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker, and Adjutant General H.P.McCain.  Printed on Vellum and in fine condition.  Signatures are fine. Size is 16 x 19 approx.

Rounding out the this lot are two manuals; first is Offley’s Engineer Field Manual, bound in soft black leather covers with gold embossed lettering etc.;  This being Parts I – VI, GPO, 1912.  Well illustrated, 499 pages.  Stamped ID on front and rear flyleaves. This came into Offley’s possession  “Mar 8, 1914.  He was then Adjutant of the 3rd Sqdn, 1st Cavalry stationed at the Presidio, San Francisco, California.  Condition is very good.  The last item in the lot is the Cavalry Drill Regulations, United States Army 1916, GPO, 1917.   Identified on the inside cover, and 1st fly leaf to Offley, Capt. 18th Cavalry (Troop L, 18cav);  and on the back page, Offley signs being attached to the 6th Cav.  Offley reported to the 18th Cavalry at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont on Jan. 12, 1917, in command of troop K.  This was just prior to his assignment (as newly commission major of infantry) to the 78th Division, then at Fort Dix, NJ.  This manual is in very good condition.

 

Colonel Edward Murray Offley’s career began in 1899 to his retirement in at Fort Myer, Va in October, 1937 after 38 years of active service, most of that being in the cavalry.  He served in several regiment through the years, at many army posts in the southwest, west, Panama, etc.; he saw service in the Philippines with the 1st Cavalry.  During WWI, he was given the assignment to raise, train and command the 308th Machine Gun Battalion, 78th Division in the AEF, where he received the Purple Heart, being wounded at Boise De Loge on 14, Oct., 1918, while serving with the British 2nd Army in the Hazebrouck Sector on the Western Front.  His last assignment was with 2nd Cavalry at Fort Myer, Va.

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Weight 20 lbs