Revised: PAIR OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL’S EPAULETS.

Revised: PAIR OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL’S EPAULETS. Pair of Mexican War era General’s grade epaulets with sgl star & staff buttons which are maker marked “H.E. Baldwin New Orleans”. On reverse of each epaulet is contemporary pencil inscription which reads as follows: “Rebel Brigadier General Johnson taken by Major Williamson of New Orleans” and the other reads “Brigadier General / 3 rows Dead(?) & Bright (Bullion?) / Brigadier General Johnson / taken by Major Williamson”. Brigadier General on this epaulet & second line description is in different script than writing on other epaulets and appears to be that of vendor selling epaulet. Since these epaulets were found in Boston area & from old collection in Nantucket we believe the Maj. Williamson to be Maj. Henry F. Williamson from Boston of the 2nd Louisiana Cavalry U.S. He first served in the 3rd Mass. Cav, enlisting in Boston. Which rebel Brig. Gen. Johnson he took these from, we are not positive. There are only 4 Confederates with this rank at any time. Extensive research was done that narrowed it down to most likely be Confederate Brig. Gen. Adam R. Johnson, AKA “Stovepipe”, who was infamous with his Partisan Ranger’s exploits alongside Gen. John Hunt Morgan. Johnson was captured in KY in Aug, 1864 and imprisoned at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor in the winter of 1864/65. A summary of the research and biographies of both Williamson and Johnson are available. In addition, a full set of documentation including copies of all research done Vonnie Zullo, the Horse Soldier Research Center, will accompany the epaulettes. Regardless, these are wonderful “as found” pair of Confederate Brigadier General used epaulets with good untouched surfaces & contemporary identification. CONDITION: Epaulets overall are very good exhibiting dusty untouched patination. Bullion is very good with some minor fraying & stretching. Cord borders have some loose stitching & cracking. Baldwin staff buttons are excellent with most gilding present. Bullion General Stars are very good & well attached with a few bullion stitches loose. Yellow silk padded backs and ties are complete and lightly soiled. ADDENDA

PAIR OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL’S EPAULETS. Regarding this lot number, further information has been discovered, since cataloging, confirming that Williamson & Johnson were in New Orleans at the same time. A book titled Confederate States Army, published in 1904 and written by Gen. Adam R. Johnson, states “….near the end of the war, he was given transportation from Vicksburg to New Orleans, ‘arriving at the place, I found a letter from one of my officers in Kentucky stating that a large number of my men had been arrested, charged with horse-stealing, etc’”. Thus affirming they were both in New Orleans at the same time. This book will accompany the lot. 4-58149 (2,000-5,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	122A.	$2,640.00	Revised: PAIR OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL’S EPAULETS. Pair of Mexican War era General’s grade epaulets with sgl star & staff buttons which are maker marked “H.E. Baldwin New Orleans”. On reverse of each epaulet is contemporary pencil inscription which reads as follows: “Rebel Brigadier General Johnson taken by Major Williamson of New Orleans” and the other reads “Brigadier General / 3 rows Dead(?) & Bright (Bullion?) / Brigadier General Johnson / taken by Major Williamson”. Brigadier General on this epaulet & second line description is in different script than writing on other epaulets and appears to be that of vendor selling epaulet. Since these epaulets were found in Boston area & from old collection in Nantucket we believe the Maj. Williamson to be Maj. Henry F. Williamson from Boston of the 2nd Louisiana Cavalry U.S. He first served in the 3rd Mass. Cav, enlisting in Boston. Which rebel Brig. Gen. Johnson he took these from, we are not positive. There are only 4 Confederates with this rank at any time. Extensive research was done that narrowed it down to most likely be Confederate Brig. Gen. Adam R. Johnson, AKA “Stovepipe”, who was infamous with his Partisan Ranger’s exploits alongside Gen. John Hunt Morgan. Johnson was captured in KY in Aug, 1864 and imprisoned at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor in the winter of 1864/65. A summary of the research and biographies of both Williamson and Johnson are available. In addition, a full set of documentation including copies of all research done Vonnie Zullo, the Horse Soldier Research Center, will accompany the epaulettes. Regardless, these are wonderful “as found” pair of Confederate Brigadier General used epaulets with good untouched surfaces & contemporary identification. CONDITION: Epaulets overall are very good exhibiting dusty untouched patination. Bullion is very good with some minor fraying & stretching. Cord borders have some loose stitching & cracking. Baldwin staff buttons are excellent with most gilding present. Bullion General Stars are very good & well attached with a few bullion stitches loose. Yellow silk padded backs and ties are complete and lightly soiled. ADDENDA PAIR OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL’S EPAULETS. Regarding this lot number, further information has been discovered, since cataloging, confirming that Williamson & Johnson were in New Orleans at the same time. A book titled Confederate States Army, published in 1904 and written by Gen. Adam R. Johnson, states “….near the end of the war, he was given transportation from Vicksburg to New Orleans, ‘arriving at the place, I found a letter from one of my officers in Kentucky stating that a large number of my men had been arrested, charged with horse-stealing, etc’”. Thus affirming they were both in New Orleans at the same time. This book will accompany the lot. 4-58149 (2,000-5,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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