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Your Price: $ 595.00
Item Number: 63257
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Desirable for sure and clearly an important Little Round Top, Gettysburg item, this original memorial by lithograph J. Baillie is a bit of an enigma as it is inscribed to Benj. F. Carter of the Fourth Virginia when in fact Lt. Col. Carter is well known to Confederate collector /historians as the hard fought hero of the 4th Texas infantry who was mortally wounded on July 2nd 1863 as that regiment took on the Union left flank and the 20th Maine Infantry. A head scratcher, our own extensive research effort produced but a single Lt. Col. Benj. F. Carter serving the Union or Confederacy and a deeper look at the post Round Top wounding offering a plausible scenario with respect to misidentification of Carter’s regiment on this memorial.
Seriously wounded on July 2, 1863, when struck by shell fragments in the face and legs, Carter was left behind in Pennsylvania, as his wound was clearly mortal, and to alleviate his further suffering, he was left at a private home where he was captured and taken with other prisoners to Chambersburg, PA. It was here that one of the Civil War’s more personal nonpartisan and heartfelt occurrences took form when the Pastor of a local church, Rev. Dr. Samuel Fisher and his wife Naomi requested that the Colonel be brought to their church for care. It seems that when Naomi’s son by a previous marriage (Capt. Mark Kerns U.S. Army) had been killed fighting against Lt. Col Carter’s 4th troops at 2nd Manassas, Col. Carter who had been so impressed by Kerns’ courage that he had his remains buried on the battlefield in Carter's own coat. Naomi who had been made aware of the Colonel’s action toward her son wished to return the kindness by care for him.
A lengthy and convoluted story but one of touching personal interest worthy of preservation, and an occurrence that offers a plausible reason for the mystery misidentification of the 4th Texas on this Yankee published lithograph as likely penned by a less than familiar Yankee calligrapher. A likelihood bolstered by our acquisition of the memorial near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania lo those many years ago when such treasures might be picked at on site sales. It seems most plausible that as the memorial emanated from a Chambersburg home, it was most likely that of the Rev. Fisher and his wife Naomi who had a personal connection to Carter.
As serious collector / historians of Maine history for well over fifty years, (see: MaineLegacy.com ) we set side this piece years ago but as time passes and we downsize, it is time to pass this find on to an appreciative home. All in pleasing condition save a chip at the lower right corner of its original12 3/8 X 16 3/8/inch mid-19th century frame, this offering will come without glass.
for a more in depth account see:
findagrave.com
Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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