Carved Wooden Pipe by Private Meinrad Zehnder 10th Ohio Infantry, Wounded at Carnifex Ferry, West Virginia / SOLD
Exceptional, German style pipe carved by Meinrad Zehnder (alternately spelled Meinrath Zenther or Zelmder). Zehnder was a Swiss immigrant enlisted in the predominantly Irish and German American 3-month 10th Ohio Infantry in April 1861. The vast majority or the regiment, including Zehnder, reenlisted for three years, and the 10th fought in all the major battles of the Army of the Cumberland from Perryville to Resaca. Zehnder was wounded in the Battle of Carnifex Ferry, West Virginia on September 10, 1861, but quickly recovered and mustered out with the regiment in May 1864. This skillfully carved pipe depicts a patriotic eagle flanked by a laurel wreath, in the style of the pattern 1851 sword belt buckle, with “MEINRAD ZEHNDER” surrounding the whole. The base of the pipe is carved with a star and clam shell design. A German silver hinged lid covers the mouth of the bowl. The bowl measures about 3” in height and 1 ¾’ wide, and the pipe measures approximately 8” from the base of the bowl to tip of the mouthpiece. An exquisite soldier carved pipe.
Meinrath Zenther - 33 years old. Enlisted on 4/18/1861 as a Private. On 5/12/1861 he mustered into "F" Co. OH 10th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 6/3/1861. He also had service in: "F" Co. OH 10th Infantry (3 yrs). Meinrath Zelmder - 33 years old. Enlisted on 6/3/1861 as a Private. On 6/3/1861 he mustered into "F" Co. OH 10th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 6/17/1864. He was listed as: Wounded 9/10/1861 Carnifax Ferry, WV.
OHIO TENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)
Tenth Infantry. - (Three Years' Service.) Cols., William Lytle, Joseph W. Burke; Lieut.-Cols., Herman J. Korf, Robert M. Moore, William M. Ward; Maj., John E. Hudson. This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, June 4, 1861, to serve three years. It had its baptism of fire at Carnifix ferry, W. Va., where it was ordered to move forward and reconnoiter the enemy's position. The regiment advanced through a dense wood and just as it gained the crest of the hill the Confederates opened with shot, shell and musketry. The regiment fixed bayonets and advanced to the charge by the flank, no other formation being possible. The head of the column reached the ditch, when the whole Confederate line delivered a volley and the advance was checked. Fitzgibbon, the color-bearer, had his right hand shot off at the wrist, but immediately picked up the colors with the left hand, and while advancing thus was mortally wounded ex-claiming as he fell : " Never mind me, boys. Save the flag!" Each company was sadly shattered as it came over the hill and at last, slowly and reluctantly, they fell back. The regiment served with Gen. Rosecrans in every skirmish and battle in the campaign of western Virginia, closing with the pursuit of Floyd from Cotton mountain. It then moved through Kentucky and Tennessee to northern Alabama, sharing in all the splendid achievements of Gen. Mitchell. It participated in the long march to Kentucky after Bragg and, in common with the whole army, endured all the privations incident to the movement. At Perryville it drove the enemy from the front by a charge, but in retiring, which it was forced to do, its track was marked by the dead of the regiment. Company formation was impossible, and the men crowded toward the colors. Being aware of the loss the regiment must sustain if it retired in disorder, Col. Burke seized a bugle and sounded a halt, formed and dressed the lines, deployed the flank companies as skirmishers to cover the retreat and then retired to the new lines, having but 263 men left out of 528. When Gen. Rosecrans assumed command of the army, in general orders the 10th was announced as head-quarters and provost guard of the Army of the Cumberland. The regiment entered upon its new duties, furnishing guards for head-quarters, taking charge of prisoners, preventing straggling during engagements, during the battle of Stone's river protected the line of communication, and for its efficiency was specially mentioned in Gen. Rosecrans' report. The 10th followed Rosecrans to the Tennessee river and was present at Chickamauga, where it was again officially noticed for its efficiency in the performance of its duties. When Gen. Thomas assumed command of the army, he retained the regiment as headquarters guard, and with him it was present at Missionary ridge, Buzzard Roost, Rocky Face ridge, Resaca, and as far in the Atlanta campaign as Kingston. The regiment's term of service having nearly expired, a day was fixed for its departure, and it was drawn up in line in front of Gen. Thomas' headquarters. The general, contrary to his usual custom, spoke a few words of parting cheer, and kindly eulogized the regiment for its bearing on all occasions. The boys gave "three times three" for Gen. Thomas, the same for the Army of the Cumberland and, concluding with three cheers for the cause of the Union, filed off on their way to their long absent homes and friends. At Cincinnati the regiment was greeted with a royal welcome, and though it did not return bearing the trophies and spoils of war, it bore that which was far better, an unsullied fame. Its ranks were thinned and its banners were blood-stained and torn, and of the thousand brave hearts that marched away, but few remained to tell of Lytle and the 10th Ohio.