Menu
EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBCivil War Archive of Brothers, General Edward Wild & Walter Wild, 54th Massachusetts & 36th USCT
Lot 130
About Seller
Cowan's Auctions
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,000 - $3,000
Absentee vs Live bid
Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Cowan's Auctions
Nov 21, 2014 - Nov 22, 2014
Set Reminder
2014-11-21 10:00:00
2014-11-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : American History
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-279
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (301)
- Lot Description
Civil War Archive of Brothers, General Edward Wild & Walter Wild, 54th Massachusetts & 36th USCT
46 war-date and post-war documents, 3 CDVs.
Captain Walter H. Wild began his service in the Union Army on April 17, 1861, a mere three days after the fall of Ft. Sumter. Enlisting as a corporal in the 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery (3 months,) he was part of Patterson's Army of the Shenandoah. Unlike his brother Edward, a captain in the 1st Massachusetts Infantry, Walter missed the first battle of Bull Run. Re-enlisting in March 1862, Wild served in South Carolina with the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery as a bugler. On March 13, 1863, he was commissioned as first lieutenant of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a colored unit made famous in the film "Glory." On October 28, he was promoted to captain in the 36th US Colored Troops.
However, he spent much of the latter part of the war as aide de camp to his brother, who had been promoted brigadier general and charged with raising and training black troops in North Carolina. While serving in General Wild's "African Brigade," Walter was wounded in the forehead at the battle of Wilson's Wharf. Legend has it that he had a silver plate the size of a silver half dollar implanted in his skull as a result.
This archive contains several letters from Walter Wild that stretch from 1861 to 1866. It also contains letters from family members relating to the service of the Wild brothers, and concerning the elder Dr. Wild, who had suffered a stroke. In addition, it includes three CDVs taken in occupied Norfolk, VA. The first letters, from Wild’s service in the 1st RI Light Artillery, reveal his enthusiasm for soldiering, but also his jaded view with how the war was conducted.
On May 12, 1862, Walter sees his first colored troops in Federal service: They have already begun organizing a black regiment with white officers here, similar to the Sepoys of India.Two companies were sent out the morn to drive in the contraband from the upper end of the island, able bodied men only. I shall be glad to see it done. They are a lazy saucy pack of hounds costing U.S. a pretty sum.
By the summer of 1863, Walter was serving as Edward's only staff officer, as they tried to train, equip, and find white officers for the colored regiments they had been tasked to raise. The troops were eager and willing, and soon Walter believed they drilled as well as the troops in the 54th Massachusetts. What was holding them back was a lack of commissioned officers willing to lead black troops (whether from prejudice, or the fact that white officers captured leading black troops were summarily executed by the Rebels.) This situation was seen as an opportunity by ambitious lower ranks: However, this will not long be so for white men have condescended and even asked to become non commissioned officers with the prospect of promotion.
On October 17, 1863, on Folly Island, SC, Capt. Wild notes they are Fighting in the old McClellan style with shovel and pick and axe and hatchet. Proud of the progress the free blacks and freed slaves had made, Wild states: I only wish we could exhibit our brigade today for a few hours in any northern city, and if we did not satisfy the most incredulous of our efficiency would willingly hide my diminished head (a reference to the piece of his skull missing after being wounded in the head at Wilson's Wharf). - Shipping Info
-
SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
-
- Buyer's Premium
