Identified Civil War Regulation Blanket / ON-HOLD

 Identified Civil War Regulation Blanket - Inventory Number: IDE 245 / ON-HOLD

A spectacular and museum de-accessioned Federal issued blanket to Pvt. Ira A. Abbott of Pomfret, VT. He enlisted on 8/31/1864 as a Private into "C" Co. VT 9th Infantry. He would quickly see action at Chaffin's Farm and Fair Oaks, also likely seeing prolonged life on the line only says after mustering in.

"September 17, 1864, Lieut. E. W. Jewett, company A, with Sergt. Charles F. Branch, company C, with one hundred picked men, were sent as a support to an isolated, exposed earth-work on the Bermuda Front, known as Redoubt Dutton. 

This point was sometimes called Butler's Slaughter-pen, and it was near where Heckman's Brigade was badly cut up a few days before.  The redoubt was named for Col. A. H. Dutton, Twenty-first Connecticut Vols., a brave and accomplished officer who was killed near the spot, and was equipped with siege howitzers, mostly 24 pounders.  The location was peculiarly exposed and was one of the most important positions on that front.  It was very heavily built and armed, and stood on a bluff facing southward, and was flanked by a deep ravine upon the east and west.  From the redoubt northward the ground sloped gently to a heavy line of Confederate earthworks about two hundred yards distant.  Behind this earthwork were planted nine batteries fully manned.  The Union lines were built somewhat in the form of a letter S, and held the Tenth and Eighteenth Army Corps, with twenty-two batteries so arranged as to enfilade nearly every portion of the enemy's line. 

Our picket line was tortuous and extended over the front, and required a heavy force daily.  The detail from the Ninth lived in gopher holes on the east side of the bluff, but spent more than half of their time for more than six weeks, in the rifle pits under the muzzles of the guns of the redoubt.

On Saturday, September 24th, a shotted salute of 100 guns was fired at sunset in honor of Sheridan's victory in the valley; again on the 30th, another was fired.  The music of shot and shell from two hundred cannon playing over the heads of the Vermont support was terrific.  This salute brought on a determined attack from the enemy, and the brunt of the assault fell upon Redoubt Dutton.  It was admitted that the steady, well-directed fire of the Vermont line disarranged and broke two well organized lines of battle at less than one hundred and fifty yards.  On Thursday, October 20, Cedar Creek was celebrated by one hundred guns shotted with shell, bearing on the enemy's lines."

Pvt. Abbott would participate in the fall of Richmond, before mustering out on June 13, 1865. Ira became a member of GAR Post # 47 (Major Howe) in Haverhill, MA, and served as a judge following the war. He was also the president of the Haverhill Historical Society. Ira A. Abbott would pass on Oct. 18th, 1921.

* To purchase this item directly by credit card, please click this link.

Inventory Number: IDE 245 / ON-HOLD