NINE-BUTTON REGULATION FROCK COAT GROUPING OF CIVIL WAR SERGEANT ALBERT FOSS, TWICE WIA, 7TH NEW HAMPSHIRE INFANTRY.

NINE-BUTTON REGULATION FROCK COAT GROUPING OF CIVIL WAR SERGEANT ALBERT FOSS, TWICE WIA, 7TH NEW HAMPSHIRE INFANTRY. This grouping is centered on the extremely rare regulation enlisted soldier’s Sergeant Infantry 9-button frock coat and the soldier’s associated papers, war letters, and great photo. Albert H. Foss was mustered into service as a Pvt in Company A, 7th NH Infantry, in Oct 1861 and served with the until discharged in Dec 1864. He was promoted to both Cpl and Sgt, with his orig promotion paperwork accompanying the lot. Foss was listed as being wounded twice in action, first at Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, and then at Deep Bottom Run, VA, on Aug 16, 1864. The 7th NH Infantry’s claim to fame was that they led the second wave assault on Fort Wagner on Morris Island, NC. During this engagement, the unit suffered losses of eleven officers killed in action, the highest number of Union officers killed in any single engagement of the Civil War. The regiment’s Colonel Haldinand Putnam was killed in this action. It was during this battle that Sgt. Foss was first wounded. Foss’ regulation enlisted 9-button has the correct orig period Sergeant’s stripes on each sleeve. Correct eagle infantry “I” buttons are present, with one replacement button and one missing button. Coat has no visible maker’s marks, but does have the correct partial lining on the coat’s body front and sleeve linings. Foss appears to have slightly altered the coat’s collar, by lowering the height. This was a common alteration. There are some very minor mothing and small holes present, but the coat has the appeal and wear consistent with a war-used uniform. There is a very nice 1/6 plate ambro-type photo in a case of Pvt Foss dating to the start of his service. This view shows Foss in full enlisted 9-button frock coat, with waist belt and cross belt, Enfield musket at his side, and wearing a nice Hardee hat with Company “A” and regimental “7” on front. This group also includes an important set of eight letters written home to his brother Silvester Foss, Strafford Corners, NH. Most of the letters are included with their addressed envelopes, which have had the stamps clipped out. These letters are addressed and dated as follows: 1) Beaufort, SC, July 28, 1862; 2) St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 7, 1862; 3) St. Augustine, Fla., Jan. 6, 1863; 4) St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 1, 1863; 5) St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 13, 1863; 6) St. Augustine, Fla., March 27, 1863; 7) Folly Island, Charlestown Harbor, SC, June 28, 1863; 8) Bermuda Hundred, VA, July 29, 1864. Several important war period documents related to Foss are with the group, including the orig copy of his discharge “Sergt. Albert H. Foss,” dated 27th Dec 1864 and signed by Col Putnam (who was later killed leading the regiment in the charge at the assault on Fort Wagner), and Foss’ appointment certificate to Sgt in the 7th given at Bermuda Hundred, VA, dated 6 August 1864 and signed by Colonel Abbot of the 7th NH Vols. These two grade appointment papers are sized at 10” x 14”. There is also a nice albumen photo of Veteran Foss with a few of his old mates. Titled “1861-1865 Only a few of Us Left – Civil War Veterans – Alton Bay Aug. 1911,” it shows 18 white-haired men posed in front of the sign. Albert Foss is shown seated third from left. CONDITION: Overall very good as described above. 4-32925 JS260 (12,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

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
	1483	$10,350.00	NINE-BUTTON REGULATION FROCK COAT GROUPING OF CIVIL WAR SERGEANT ALBERT FOSS, TWICE WIA, 7TH NEW HAMPSHIRE INFANTRY. This grouping is centered on the extremely rare regulation enlisted soldier’s Sergeant Infantry 9-button frock coat and the soldier’s associated papers, war letters, and great photo. Albert H. Foss was mustered into service as a Pvt in Company A, 7th NH Infantry, in Oct 1861 and served with the until discharged in Dec 1864. He was promoted to both Cpl and Sgt, with his orig promotion paperwork accompanying the lot. Foss was listed as being wounded twice in action, first at Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, and then at Deep Bottom Run, VA, on Aug 16, 1864. The 7th NH Infantry’s claim to fame was that they led the second wave assault on Fort Wagner on Morris Island, NC. During this engagement, the unit suffered losses of eleven officers killed in action, the highest number of Union officers killed in any single engagement of the Civil War. The regiment’s Colonel Haldinand Putnam was killed in this action. It was during this battle that Sgt. Foss was first wounded. Foss’ regulation enlisted 9-button has the correct orig period Sergeant’s stripes on each sleeve. Correct eagle infantry “I” buttons are present, with one replacement button and one missing button. Coat has no visible maker’s marks, but does have the correct partial lining on the coat’s body front and sleeve linings. Foss appears to have slightly altered the coat’s collar, by lowering the height. This was a common alteration. There are some very minor mothing and small holes present, but the coat has the appeal and wear consistent with a war-used uniform. There is a very nice 1/6 plate ambro-type photo in a case of Pvt Foss dating to the start of his service. This view shows Foss in full enlisted 9-button frock coat, with waist belt and cross belt, Enfield musket at his side, and wearing a nice Hardee hat with Company “A” and regimental “7” on front. This group also includes an important set of eight letters written home to his brother Silvester Foss, Strafford Corners, NH. Most of the letters are included with their addressed envelopes, which have had the stamps clipped out. These letters are addressed and dated as follows: 1) Beaufort, SC, July 28, 1862; 2) St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 7, 1862; 3) St. Augustine, Fla., Jan. 6, 1863; 4) St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 1, 1863; 5) St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 13, 1863; 6) St. Augustine, Fla., March 27, 1863; 7) Folly Island, Charlestown Harbor, SC, June 28, 1863; 8) Bermuda Hundred, VA, July 29, 1864. Several important war period documents related to Foss are with the group, including the orig copy of his discharge “Sergt. Albert H. Foss,” dated 27th Dec 1864 and signed by Col Putnam (who was later killed leading the regiment in the charge at the assault on Fort Wagner), and Foss’ appointment certificate to Sgt in the 7th given at Bermuda Hundred, VA, dated 6 August 1864 and signed by Colonel Abbot of the 7th NH Vols. These two grade appointment papers are sized at 10” x 14”. There is also a nice albumen photo of Veteran Foss with a few of his old mates. Titled “1861-1865 Only a few of Us Left – Civil War Veterans – Alton Bay Aug. 1911,” it shows 18 white-haired men posed in front of the sign. Albert Foss is shown seated third from left. CONDITION: Overall very good as described above. 4-32925 JS260 (12,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 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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