Captain George Washington Cable, 8th OVC - Civil War Collection Featuring Exquisite Cavalry Guidon, Commission, Swords, and Belt Plate

About Auction

Live

American History: Premier Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 21, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-06-21 10:00:00 2019-06-21 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History: Premier Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-premier-auction-4173
On June 21, Cowan’s Auctions will be offering a remarkable selection of historic photography, letters, documents, flags, political ephemera, and more representing the Revolutionary War-period through the Civil War, Indian Wars, and beyond, as well as the American West. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

View Full Catalog (351)

• Lot Description
  Lot of 4 items.
  
  Consigned by a living descendant of Captain George Washington Cable (1841-1916) comes this extraordinary group of 8th Ohio Cavalry material never before offered for sale. The collection features George Cable's unnamed cavalry sabers, his rectangular officer's eagle belt plate (and keeper), along with his late war captain's commission dating to July 1865. The first saber is an 1860 enlisted pattern made by " C. Roby/Chelmsford, Mass. " The hilt shows very minor loss of leather (dry) but retains the original wire wrap, all with a mellow untouched patina. Both the blade and scabbard are in superior condition without edge nicks or dents. The companion sword is the desirable officer's cavalry pattern made by " Schuyler, Hartley & Graham/New York ," also with a fine untouched aged patina. The brass hilt retains complete rayskin wrap and unbroken, oxidized twisted wire. The blade etched with eagle/patriotic motifs on the upper third is perfect as is the steel scabbard with fancy brass mounts decorated with intertwined laurel/oak leaves. The only aspect missing from this excellent saber is an inscription! The eagle belt plate and keeper are framed therefore it is unknown if either have numbers on the obverse. The Ohio state commission is dated July 8, 1865, secretarially signed by Governor John Brough bearing signatures of the Secretary of State and Adjutant General, 12 x 15.5 in. (sight), matted and framed, 18.75 x 22.5 in. The document shows folds but is undamaged with bright wax seal.
  
  George W. Cable had extensive prior service in the predecessor 44th OVI having enlisted on October 9, 1861 as first sergeant in Company I. The regiment served in West Virginia and Kentucky and saw only limited action before it was reorganized as a veteran cavalry regiment in January 1864. Designated the 8th OVC, the regiment was retained in West Virginia; Cable being promoted 2nd lieutenant of Company I on January 4, 1864, and first lieutenant of Company A on May 5. Although he was advanced to captain on July 8, 1865, Lieutenant Cable never mustered in that rank and left the service on July 30, 1865. Initially, the regiment was divided with a detachment stationed at Beverly, West Virginia and a battalion sent to operate with the Army of the Shenandoah. The battalion fought a number of skirmishes and rode in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. Of the West Virginia detachment eighty men of Companies C, H, and K were "surprised and captured" at Huttonsville on August 23, 1864. The camp at Beverly was attacked on October 8, 1864 by Confederate cavalry and after a "severe hand to hand fight" the enemy was "forced to retreat with a loss of 17 killed, 27 wounded, and 92 prisoners." The 8th OVC lost 8 killed and 25 wounded with a further 13 men missing. Several months later on January 11, 1865 Confederate cavalry under General Rosser attacked Beverly again with considerably more success. This time a large portion of the 8th OVC and 34th OVI, 583 men in total, were captured and confined at Richmond until February 15. Subsequently, the men were sent to Annapolis and thence to were they were discharged. Lieutenant Cable was not among the prisoners as his scouting report from March 14-16 found in the Official Records will attest. Presumably, upon mustering out on July 7, 1865 at Clarksburg, West Virginia, Lieutenant Cable took the guidon home as a trophy of his wartime service. Incredibly, Cable's mementos have remained in the possession of descendants ever since. A farmer after the war, George Washington Cable died on January 27, 1916 at Columbus, aged 74, and was buried in Obetz Cemetery, Franklin County, Ohio.
  
  AUCTIONEER'S NOTE: Although the lot initially included the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry Guidon, the guidon has been withdrawn. However, the rest of the lot remains intact, and is comprised of Cable's cavalry sabers, rectangular officers eagle belt plate (and keeper), along with his late war captain's commission.
• Shipping Info

  • Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful Bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial. - If there is no shipping amount on listed your invoice, you will need to make arrangements to pick up or ship your purchase through an alternative shipping company. Our shipping department can be contacted at 513.871.1670 (ext. 219) or email shipping@cowans.com. - Shipping charges include insurance for your order while in transit. If you have private insurance we will adjust your charge to include only packing and shipping. - Please allow 14 – 21 days after payment to package and ship your purchase as carefully as possible.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 28.00 %