Description
Fresh from an estate sale where it hung on a wall for many decades, this is about as honest condition as you will ever find of a field used cavalry weapon. Even better, it retains the ORIGINAL holster and cap box (which still has 4 bullets in it) and both have the owners name/initials inked inside. The holster is far more rare than the weapon! Overall, it is totally brown and unmolested and is lacking the loading lever catch, which clearly has been missing for many, many years. The action is a little sluggish but functional and it could stand some gentle cleaning and lubrication. It is not often to find items like this in pure original, out-of-the-family condition!
William H. Linton;Enlisted on 8/24/1864 as a Private. On 8/24/1864 he mustered into “F” Co. PA 19th Cavalry . He was discharged on 6/1/1865
PENNSYLVANIA 180th Infantry (19th Cavalry) (Three Years)
Col., Alexander Cummings; Lieut.Cols., Joseph C. Hess, Frank Reeder; Majs., Amos J. Holahan, Norman M. Finlay, Charles F. Huston. The 19th cavalry, the 180th regiment of the line, was recruited in Philadelphia with the exception of Cos. L and M from the counties of Huntingdon and Blair.
In September, 1864, during Gen. Price’s invasion of Missouri, it was active at Marion, Greensboro, Pilot knob, and the Big Blue river, returning to Memphis on Oct. 20. In November it skirmished on the flank of Hood’s army, marching towards Nashville, Co. F being desperately engaged at Nonconnah creek.Early in December it proceeded to Nashville and was assigned to Hammond’s (1st) brigade, Knipe’s (7th) division cavalry corps, under Gen. Wilson. It participated in the battle of Nashville and the pursuit of Hood’s army, suffering some losses. During Hood’s retreat, it was warmly engaged at Hollow Tree gap, whereit delivered an impetuous charge and drove the enemy for 2 miles. At Franklin, the same day, the 19th again charged and in the day’s fighting captured 3 stands of colors and 350 prisoners. It lost in killed, wounded and missing about 25, among the wounded being Maj. Holahan, Capts. Reeder and N. M. Smith and Acting-Adjt. Blackstone. Continuing the pursuit, it was again hotly engaged at Anthony’s hill and Sugar creek, losing 12 killed and wounded. The command was now much reduced in numbers and was consolidated early in Feb., 1865, into a battalion of six companies, the supernumerary officers being mustered out. On Feb. 8 the battalion started for New Orleans, arriving there March 9. On the 20th it moved to Baton Rouge and was engaged in picket and scouting duty until the middle of August. Meanwhile the battalion had been further reduced on June 13 to four companies. It served by detachments in Louisiana and Texas until April of the following year, when the four companies were reunited at New Orleans, performed provost duty there for a few weeks, and was finally mustered out on May 14, 1866.
