EX RARE CIVIL WAR 2ND MISSOURI CAV 1864 VETERAN RIBBON AND BIBLE MERRILL HORSE

Description

EX RARE CIVIL WAR 2ND MISSOURI CAV 1864 VETERAN RIBBON AND BIBLE MERRILL HORSE
EX RARE CIVIL WAR 2ND MISSOURI CAV 1864 VETERAN RIBBON AND BIBLE MERRILL HORSE
Description
Presented for your consideration is this extremely rare wartime veteran's ribbon of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry, the famed "Merrill Horse" and the attributable, accompanying Bible it was discovered in! This ensemble is in untouched, uncleaned, as-found condition. Civil War veteran reunion ribbons are relatively common or should I say post-war veteran reunion ribbons. 99% of all veteran reunion ribbons date anywhere from about 1880-1915. Only a scant few date to the war years and this is one. The construction/weight of pre-war or wartime ribbons of this genre is generally much, much lighter and thinner. This fragility may explain their absence in the marketplace. This ribbon is printed on a what was likely a very thin orange silk which has now faded to a pink tone. The top of the ribbon features a Federal eagle upon a shield which is underscored by the legend "MERRILL HORSE" and further printed with the words "MISSOURI VETERANS ST. LOUIS 1864." The 2nd Missouri Cavalry is one of the most famous cavalry regiments of the Union Army. Colonel Lewis Merrill, whose pre-war service was in the 2nd U. S. Dragoons, formed the regiment in the St. Louis area. They had a distinctive uniform faced with orange (the branch color of the dragoons, Merrill's former branch) and established a reputation for adherence to uniform and field discipline on par with that of regulars. Their forte, however, lay in the conduct of anti-guerrilla operations in Missouri. The regiment served most commendably in Missouri and later on in the so-called Western Theater. Considering its age and light weight, the ribbon is in stable condition and only has a couple of small pin holes near the "M" of "MISSOURI." In hand, the ribbon presents a fine appearance. This thing is like a gossamer wing, but it would display well in an appropriately configured mount. Again, given the construction, font, printing, and date of 1864, there is no doubt in my mind that this is a wartime veteran's ribbon of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry. The 1864 date ties in nicely with the Bible and its associated names. Inscribed in pencil on the fly leaf is what appears to read "PRESENTED BY WHETON DEC 18TH 1864 POST HOSPITAL ST. LOUIS MO." This Bible was printed in 1864 by the American Bible Society in New York. There is a central section (typical of larger Bibles of this period) entitled "FAMILY RECORD." Here there are numerous pencil notations and entries which in and of themselves are interesting. The family dog was even commemorated! One name among them stands out as the likely owner and recipient of this Bible in 1864. Interestingly, Frederick C. Bush was a member of the 1st Missouri Cavalry and the 7th Missouri Cavalry during the war. As for the mysterious "WHETON," (or perhaps "Wheaton") there was a soldier by the name of Alfred D. Wheaton who was a member of the 1st Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Thus, it is my speculation that these two individuals converged at the Post Hospital (perhaps at Jefferson or Benton Barracks) in December of 1864 where this Bible was presented. The Merrill Horse veteran's ribbon, also dated 1864, was likely secured at this time and employed as an interesting book mark even though neither man had an association with the regiment. The Bible is admittedly a bit shabby. The rear cover is missing and what remains is a bit distressed, but the text block is complete, solidly bound, and present. Nevertheless, it is a genuine Civil War-presented/used Bible. This little ensemble would complement any collection of Missouri related Civil War ephemera or a specialized collection dedicated to the "Merrill Horse" as they were known during war. More Civil War treasures from Brother Rabbit's hutch!
Payment
Please tender payment within 24 hours of the close of the auction or contact me for other arrangements.
Shipping
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Terms of Sale
Please tender payment within 24 hours of the close of the auction.  Once you have won the item I will consider it yours.  Once payment is received your package will be shipped the next business day.  Please ask any questions or explore any concerns BEFORE the auction ends and within an appropriate timeframe to place a bid if you so choose.  I endeavor to describe items accurately and provide accurate photos.  Condition assessments are subjective; thus, I would invite you to study the photos and ask any questions you may have in order to make your own assessment of condition before bidding.  Thank you.
About Us
I take pride in offering a diverse assemblage of material from estates and old collections in addition to conducting all of my auctions in a NO RESERVE format with a low opening bid.  Thus, everyone has an opportunity to participate and win in an unbiased setting.
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