Libby Prison POW Belongings Identified to 2nd Lieutenant Samuel Boone, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry, Captured at Gettysburg

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American History Auction

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Nov 18, 2016 - Nov 19, 2016

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• Lot Description
  Lot of 5+ items identified to Sergeant/2nd Lieutenant Samuel Boone of the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry.
  
  On April 1, 1861, Boone joined the Reading Artillerists, and was discharged over three months later as a sergeant. He went on to join the 88th PA, Co. B, in September 1861, and was promoted to second lieutenant in April 1863. He saw action at Cedar Mountain, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg where he was captured on July 1, 1863. In John D. Vautier's History of the 88th PA Volunteers, Boone provides a detailed account of his capture by a Louisiana Tiger at Gettysburg. Over the next 19 months and 16 days, Boone was held by the Confederates at five different military prisons, including the infamous Libby prison in Richmond, VA. He also spent time at Danville, VA, Macon, GA, Charleston, SC, and Columbia, SC, the prison from which he escaped on February 17, 1865. 
  
  This exceptional lot features a letter penned by Boone to his mother soon after his escape, written from the Clarendon Hotel, Washington, DC, dated March 20, 1865. He writes, in part: 
  
  You will be pleased to learn that I have made good my escape from the cursed Rebels. I arrived here last evening, and will be home as soon as I have done with my business...should you see Lt. Grant, give him my regards and tell him that I got through "all right." 
  
  Mementos from Boone's time in prison include a brass plate, 6.5 x 2.25 in., inscribed, Samuel G. Boone/ 2nd Lieut. Co. B. 88th PA. V.V. Inf./ Captured at Gettysburg July 1, 1863./ Reading, PA. A tag addressed to Boone is attached to the plate, and features a note on the back from Boone, dated November 20, 1899, in which he explains that the item marked the spot on the floor where I slept for nearly ten months, as a prisoner of war, in the upper east room of the famous Libby Prison, but after the removal of the Prison to Chicago, Ill. The Prison has been razed to the ground, and plates returned to the old "Libbyites." An envelope addressed to Boone from the Libby Prison Relic Co. in Chicago is also included. 
  
  Accompanied by a CDV of President Lincoln published by D. Appleton & Co., with an inked note written and signed by Boone in which he states, During 19 months of captivity as a Prisoner of War-from July 1st 1863 until Feb. 17th 1865-this picture of "Old Abe" was my constant companion. The lot also includes a 5 x 3.25 in. card titled in gilt, Mementos, which appears to have been used in a display featuring the items that Boone held on to during his time as a prisoner of war. 
  
  This fine grouping also includes an extensive file on Boone and his Civil War service. 
  
  Provenance: Property of N. Flayderman & Co.

  Condition

  Letter from Boone to his mother completely separated along lower horizontal fold, partially separated along top fold. Some wear to plate and folds in Lincoln CDV. Expected wear to CDV. 
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