John Gilbert Ray, Corporal Co. E – 43rd Massachusetts Infantry Frock Coat & More

John Gilbert Ray, Corporal Co. C – 43rd Massachusetts Infantry Frock Coat & More. I bought this from a knowledgable collector and long time friend from originally the Baltimore area. I have his letter stating how long he has had this group for Corporal Ray of the 43rd Massachusetts for 40 years, buying it from a dealer/ collector from the Chicago area (name he can’t remember). The frock in this collection my be the one being worn by Ray in the 1/6 plate tin type (Mass buttons later changed to Federal), as there is no evidence of furniture for attaching dress shoulder scales. The frock would be considered by most collectors as being in poor condition, with moth holes of various sizes, a lining that is quite tattered due to the rough service, heat, etc, dealing with swamps, weather in general and sweet while in North Carolina. The left shoulder has been restitched at top, and the left corporal chevron is loose toward the body.  One button on the back waist area is missing, and a cuff but is off. I will take all the appropriate photos to show the condition.  My friend never touched the frock, being a purist, but when he displayed it, it looked great, with accoutrements hiding a good deal of the wear, etc.  I have had uniform coats like this one restored in the past, but those with no history.  This one might need the same treatment, but that will be for the next owner.

John Gilbert Ray, Jr. the eldest of 6 children was born in Portland, Maine on March 23, 1843.  His father was a sea captain, and his mother from another seafaring family was born at sea. His father died when he was 10, and was forced to leave school to work to meet the needs of family. In 1859, John Ray moved to Boston and learned the Machinist’s trade, and was in business in Boston until enlisting in the 43rd Mass. Vols, or also known as the Boston Light Infantry or the “Tiger Regiment.”

After the war, being an adventurous young man, unmarried, he traveled through the  west and in 1867, found employment with the Union Pacific Railroad, then laying track on the Great Plains, and was present for the laying of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point, Utah Territory, on May 10, 1869. Typed notes made by a previous owner related information that he “Smoked Pipe of peace with the chief of the Sioux tribe and received gifts At the scene when they drove the Golden Spike that connected the west to east by rail.”  This statement most  is reenforced by an news article 1909 in a local paper (perhaps in Hyde Park, his home town), where it stated “Among the relics donated by Mrs. Allen were a half-dozen arrows, a quiver made of caribou hide, a bow, a gun case of leather and some mocassins. The collection determined to mostly Apache origin and some Chippewa.”.…See the photo of this article in photo section.

list of items in ring binder in their order:

• Typed page from the owner from 40 years ago (not who I purchase the lot from), with noted points about Ray and his army service, and marriage, career after the war, including this note, “Smoked Pipe of peace with the Chief of the Sioux tribe and received gifts at the scene where they drove the golden Spike that connected the west and east by rail. (pencil), On May 10, 1867.”  license plate on Stanley Steamer was “100,” one of first in the area.
• 2 newsclipping – Obit with service, and civilian history etc. along with another clipping mentioning his daughter donating many Indian artifacts the Ray collected when out west after the war.
• Manuscript list of “2nd Section, 1st squad, Corp. John G. Ray, Jr…..listing 10 members including Sergeant Sparrow.
• Similar, list for Picket Guard under Ray, 4 names including 1st Sergeant Emerson. (cut down), and on the back a list of articles he either received or issued.
• An 1852-52 document concerning 2 minors, Rays name on docket, captured – collected slave document from North Carolina.
• Document – account of sold Negros dated 1851.  Names of men, women, and women with their children.
• Manila colored cover illustrated with the 43rd Lion addressed to Ray.
• 4 Sutler chits, A.W. Lovejoy, Sutler to the 43rd Regiment Mass Vols., made out Henry Doane, Captain of Co. C. each signed by Ray.
• Letter dated Truro (Cape Cod), Feb, 15, 1863, 2 pages,  from Mrs. H.C. Brown, thanking Ray for writing her to let it be known that the clothing she sent was received and “are now making the men of our Army comfortable & shall soon have another box ready to send….many of the Truro think that our Soldiers do not get them , we have formed ourselves in a society and pledged ourselves to work for them as long as our services is needed…there are about 340 members this society meets once a fortnight, many a soldier is spoken of ..,many a prayer for them & all we ask of the soldiers is to stand up manly for their Country and do what they can to put down this awful rebellion that distracts our country. you soldiers have the best wishes.”…signed by Mrs. H.C. Brown  PS. “God Bless the Soldier of our Army.”   Cover addressed 43rd Regiment Tigers. Missing stamp.
• Letter from Ray to Friend Charles, Boston, July 18, 1863,  4 pages.  Ray is catching up life details with a friend after his return from the service…..“not a scratch, I believe I was born not to be shot by a rebel…not mustered out of service yet ….plenty of work here in Boston now….girls are all married.”…general news..
• Confederate Ten Dollar bill (series of 1862).
• Confederate 100 Dollar bill (series of 1862).
• By-Laws Benj. Stone Post 68, G.A.R. with rough ribbon for 43rd Regiment.  Name inside flyleaf. Printed 1891, 15 pages, vg.
• Typed copy of roll call of Co, E, 43rd Mass. with annotations as to deaths, new addresses, etc. 5 pages.
• Small photograph of Mr. & Mrs, Ray, in their “Stanley Steamer” dated 1899, at Hampton, NH, 5 x 6 inches approx.
• Real Photo Post Card of Ray residence at Warren Ave, Hyde Park, Mass.
• Card for the 31st Reunion of the 43rd Mass Regt. Assoc. 1907, dinner ticket
• Card for Ray as chief engineer of the Sears Estate -“Nov 2 1882-1901, Supt. of Mass Hospital Life Insurance Co,  etc,  with envelope for three items.
• Small brochure for Benj. Stone Jr. Post 68, 4 pages, 1892.
• Pass for HQ 1st Brigade, MVM Camp at Framingham, 1896 signed by Col. Carter &, A.I.G.  (asst inspect. gen,). with note for dedication of soldiers monument on Boston Common Sept 17, 1877. (note- John G. Ray was in the procession)
• 1894 cabinet photo taken at Houghs Neck, Aug, 19,  “Anniversary Ray”  6.5 x 8.5 approx,
• Cabinet of a fellow soldier in G.A.R. uniform with all his medals and badges, identified as “Seward B. Davis, Elk City, Mongomery County, Kansas.  1892”  Seward was mentioned in the Boston letter dated July 1863 above.  Note captured Confederate canteen slung over the back of the studio chair. 4 x 8 inches.
• Grand Army Memorial Record Blank, filled in for Ray, listing basic information.  “Enlisted without bounty..lost only one week’s duty during enlistment (Baltimore with dysentery from drinking swamp water) …

Ray’s diary begins “Boston, Sept, 30, 1862.”  First entry on Jan, 1 is for December 11, 1863,  In pencil and rubbed, but and make out ….”started out on an Expedition on Jan, 5…Fuller Morton died of his wounds he received at Goldsboro, Jan 8,  Corporal Jan, 9, back to Dec. 11th, 1862 on Jan 16, 1863 date-  started on our first expedition marched 11 days and took 3 places vis Winston, White Hall, and Goldsboro, got back Dec 22.  Dec 23, left our Regiment (our company) to do picket duty up to Bachlors Creek, 10 miles from New Bern, got back Jan. 11, 1863,…..Jan, 15, started for another expedition, was gone 5 days and took Pollockville, Trention, NC and burned 8 bridges and a good many houses…took some Prisoners 1 killed 1 wounded (Caver…), very hard marching, force March  5th.  Received marching orders to be ready at one hours notice with 5 days rations (the reason of that order was because the enemy had attacked our outside pickets but we didnent go!….went west upon the Kingston Road about 50 miles releaved the 25th Mass Regt. that was holding 2 brigades of Rebs in check…we camped that night in sight of them and the next day started for them when we got to their camp…we found they had skedadled  we started in pursuit of them …April 2,  we have orders to be around our quarters so as to be ready to fall in to line at a minutes notice for the enemy was advancing on to New burn again in strong ….

Back to 1862:  Nov. 5th, left our old camp in Readville….at sea…Nov 8th,…the 45th and part of the 46th is with us…many sick aboard the steamer..trip to NC described sightings of possible rebel ships, gun boats run out to protect troop ships…..Beginning on April 16 page; ‘list of the members of Co E, 43rd Regt. M.V. – 4 pages to April 25th…..Sept.27, received $100 Bounty went to Boston, cost me $11….Dec.14,  took Kingston after 3 hours fighting…..Dec 30- begins trip home by steamer….other accounts and notes in the back.   Missing back cover. Some back pages are in pencil and smudged.

• 1/6th Plate tintype of John G. Ray as a private, hold forage cap with an “E” over an infantry horn insignia.  Split cover leatherette case lined with decorated pressed wool interior. Very good.
• CDV of Ray as a corporal, in dress frock, scales, accoutrements with forage cap “E” over “43.”  Framed by last owner.
• CDV of Mrs. Emma Ray. Wartime image, VG.  Framed identical to above.

The frock coat by its self is relatively inexpensive considering all the supporting items coming with it. His personal history is appealing, and should not be overlooked.