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December 2020 - Antique Shoppe - 7
JS: What an unusual relic to find on a battlefield. If only it could
The Civil War Collector talk and tell us how those projectiles came to be lodged in a loose
barrel.
To Atlanta Campaign enthusiasts, the Battle of Ringgold Gap is

By John Sexton the well-known matchup of U.S. General John Geary who stood 6
feet 6 inches tall and weighed in at over 250 pounds—a big man
today and a giant in 1864—against C.S. General Patrick Cleburne,
who won the day.
I found this rifle barrel whole while metal detecting, and I don’t really care If indeed the one Minié ball was shot in anger and lodged in the
to sell it, but I’d be interested in knowing what it may be worth. It’s a smooth- muzzle of an enemy’s musket, this relic would be so very rare. The
bore rifle barrel from the Battle of Ringgold Gap dug by myself. It has two perfection of such a shot would have been an astronomical chance,
bullets (with missing pieces of the barrel) showing a bullet in the barrel. It but nose-to-nose Minié ball hits did occur and have been collected
looks as if this barrel exploded. There are several pieces missing from it, as if it when found in the field after battle. Nose-to nose fused Miniés sell
was blown apart from the inside. for about $1,000.
There’s a second bullet in the barrel. This is where it gets interesting—it is Your musket may be as rare, but whether or not it could be
in the tip of the barrel going the opposite direction. All you can see is the cone marketable as a “wounded relic” is hard to gauge. I would not be
cavity of the second bullet. How’s that for a battlefield collision? surprised if put in auction it might bring in that range. It is rare, but
Thanks for your time and help; I look forward to whatever input you may just rusted iron and lead without a good story probably won’t sell
have. for more that $100-$200.

Is this a real Civil War sword?
JS: Your sword appears to be 100% original and authentic and in very good
overall condition with a nice scabbard with no dents. Thomas, Griswold and
Company of New Orleans made very unique solid brass scabbards for their
swords, which this example exhibits, of course. The swords are found three
ways: unmarked; full, firm marking, like yours; and “TG & Co./ NO”. The full Woman’s Relief Corp badge,
firm marking, “Thomas, Griswold & Co / New Orleans,” is the most commonly $10-$20.
encountered but also the most desirable in the market.
Photo letter (handwritten):
Letter about the Battle of
Antietam, $200-$400.

There was a very similar full, firm-marked
example being offered in the April 2020 Poulin
auction with a pre-sell estimate of $5,000-$7,000. National Society of
It went for $9,400. In the past, nice examples Andersonville Survivors’
badge, $300-$350.
have sold in excess of $10,000, but the market is
softer now. Camped on the Battlefield, MD
Sept. 20, 1862
I found you on the internet! I’m hoping you can help me assess if there’s any Dear Father:
value to this letter. Perhaps more important, should I store it in some special I once more take my pen in hand to inform you of my welfare and whereabouts. Father, we have had
another most bloody battle. I believe I wrote to you since the last battle and gave it to a citizen and do
way, or donate it to a museum, or if there’s value in selling it? not know whether you will get it or not. We have been in four fights and I have been so lucky as to escape
Edward Briggs was my great great-grandfather. He was in the Iron Brigade unharmed. I was shot through the napsack on Sunday night, and here at this fight I was struck with a piece
off of the fence or else a spent ball. I do not know which. It struck me in the breast, it made me very sick for
from Wisconsin. I also own a couple of Civil War veteran memorial ribbons he a while. Father I will try and give you the names of those who were wounded and killed: Sgt. William Fox;
wore to reunions, a Bible he carried during the war (plus a letter describing how Isaiah Williams; H. M. Richardson; Lewis Hart; Dan Nutting; W. T. Barcus; Nathan Buschell; Charlie Sind.
There are the wounded. George Douglas; George Atwood are the only ones that was killed in the Sunday
he got the Bible), his discharge certificate and a few other letters. fight. William Sarince was killed, John Harding; Gabe Ruby, I believe is the wounded of that fight. Father,
I’m sending you the handwritten letter, a typed version of it (much we drove them both times and now they are reported across the river. I do not know whether it is so or not.
easier to read), a copy of his obit and a newspaper article about him from We took a Brigadier General and all his staff prisoners last night. We killed one or two in the fight. We hear
heavy canonading on the front. It sounds as though it was on the riverbank. It is reported that we took 100
1926, and his badges. As you can see, one ribbon is hanging together by pieces of artillery from the enemy this morning at the river. They could not get them across the river; our
threads; the other one is in pretty good shape for being over 140 years old! Regt does not muster but 100 men for duty. There is more than that here, but they are sick and wounded,
Although I have a basic understanding of the Civil War, it pretty much ends so you can see that this brigade is badly cut up as we are the largest regiment in the brigade; Father it is an
awful sight to go over the battlefield and see the dead rebles. They are piled up in great piles, worse than
with a couple of tours here and there on the east coast (Gettysburg, Antietam, I ever saw chickens. Our fife major stood in one place and counted 120 men and then did not count all he
Chancellorsville) so I am in no position to understand anything more than that. could see. I saw over 75 myself in one place where they stood and fought us until we drove them there was
all over the field dead. Rebles, they get as black as any negro I ever saw. I do not know the reason why it is
Thank you for your help! so our men look white and then you could tell anyone that you knew, but the rebles you could not tell any-
JS: Your ancestor, based on the newspaper interview, really had a hard Civil thing about them. They all look alike. Well, I have told you all the news that I know and the mail has gone
War life, being captured and spending two years in prison after Gettysburg and and I shall have to give this to the Sutter. Tell George to write me as often as he can. I cannot write very often
for the mail does not go out once a month. Give my love to all the girls. Tell Enos and William that I have
losing over half of his body weight. He was among the lucky ones to not die at had a chance to kill a Secesh at last, but I do hope that I never shall be called upon to do it again as long as I
Andersonville. live. Tell them I say for them to be good boys and work like men, and if God spares me to return home, I will
reward them. I hope and pray to God that when this wicked war is closed that there never will be another
Anything on a brigade’s action always brings a premium. The letter he wrote while either I or them lives to take a part in it: Oh Father, tell them they do not know what war is and I think
concerning the Battle of Antietam is much better than an average letter, and that none of you that is at home knows anything about it. I am so happy to know that I have no more broth-
it would have a price at a Civil War show of $200-$400. ers to come in the army, it is the wickedest place any man ever come to even on the battlefield while we was
fighting you could hear them swearing and hollering. If I am spared and have the privilege of coming home,
The Andersonville Survivors’ badge, which is identified as Briggs’, would I will live different than I did before I enlisted. Tell Enos and William I say for them never to leave home until
bring $300-$350 with the newspaper articles. The woman’s Relief Corp is they are 21 years old and not then if there is not anybody at home to help take care of these things. Home is
about a $10-$20 badge. the place for all boys. Tell them not to be like me. I am no pattern for anybody. Tell them I would like to see
them. I would give all I have in the world to come home and see you all once more, then I could be satisfied
it does not seem as long as it has been since I left home. It has been all most one year and a half since I saw
John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is your faces. Well, you will get tired of reading this letter, but I have not written for so long that I thought I
an accredited member of various appraiser organizations. He can be contacted at 770- would write a long one this time. But now I shall have to close. I am tired and weary and want to lay down
and rest. Please excuse all bad writing and all mistakes and write as soon as you can and tell me all the
329-4984 or www.CivilWarDealer.com. For a free appraisal of a Civil War item, email a knews from about home. Give my love to all the children. Our Capt. sends his respects to you. He is all right
photo and a description to mclwriter@gmail.com. yet. Believe me, your ever true son until death, Edward Briggs