Identified Hathaway Writing Desk / SOLD

Identified Hathaway Writing Desk - Inventory Number: IDE 065 / SOLD

 Bold ink inscription on oilcloth:

“E. Thomas Hale - 45th Regiment – Mass. Volunteers.”

This soldiers essential acted as a portable writing desk for the soldier on the march.  A series of nine wood slats secures with a rubberized cloth backing, these slats lock into a rigid writing surface by pivoting slat that locks under the brass brackets.  A nice bold patent date stamped into the wooden body: December 24, 1861.  A wonderful identified example which appears to have been without the tin cylinder for its time of service based on wear.

E Thomas Hale:

Residence Newburyport MA; a 20 year-old Student.

Enlisted on 9/15/1862 as a Private.

On 9/26/1862 he mustered into "A" Co. MA 45th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 7/7/1863 at Readville, MA

FORTY-FIFTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA (INFANTRY) NINE MONTHS

     The 45th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mill, or Cadet Regiment, was one of the new militia regiments raised in response to the call of Aug. 4, 1862, for nine months troops.  It received the title by which it was commonly known because of the fact that over forty of the commissioned officers of the regiment were former members of the Boston Cadets.  Its commander, Col. Charles R. Codman, had served as Captain and Adjutant of the Boston Cadets during their period of service at Fort Warren in the early summer of 1862.

     Organized at Camp Meigs, Readville, in the early fall of 1862, the first eight companies of the 45th were mustered in on the 26th day of September, and the other two, "I" and "K", on the 7th of October.

     On Nov. 5, the regiment embarked on the steamer MISSISSIPPI for Beaufort, N. C., arriving at its destination on the 15th.  Transported by rail to Newbern, it was here assigned to Amory's Brigade of Foster's Division.  The regimental camp was established on the banks of the Trent River near Fort Gaston.  Here the 45th remained, following the regular routine of camp life, until Dec. 12, when it set out with Gen. Foster's expedition to Goldsboro. Only eight companies took part in this expedition, Co. "C" having been sent on special duty to Morehead City, and Co. "G" to Fort Macon.

     At Kinston, Dec. 14, the regiment had its first taste of real war, losing 15 men killed and 43 wounded.  At Whitehall, Dec. 16, it was again engaged, losing 4 killed and 16 wounded. At Goldsboro on the 17th the 45th was not in action, and on the following day it began its return march to Newbern, arriving at its former camp Dec. 21.

     On January 17, 1863, the 45th started on a reconnaissance to Trenton, returning on the 22d.  From Jan. 26 to April 25 it served as provost guard in the city of Newbern.  During this period, on March 14, occurred the Confederate attack on Newbern, of which the 45th was an interested spectator but was not called into action.

     On April 27 it started with Amory's Brigade on an expedition to Core Creek on the railroad toward Goldsboro.  On the following day it was sharply engaged, taking a Confederate work which crossed the railroad near its intersection with the Dover Road, and losing one man killed and four wounded.

     This expedition being ended, the regiment returned to its last camp, near Fort Spinola, just below Newbern, on the Trent.  Here it remained until June 24, when it proceeded to Morehead City, a suburb of Beaufort, N. C., and there took transports for Boston. 

Arriving at its destination June 30, the regiment was formally welcomed, then proceeded to its old camp at Readville where it remained until its muster out of the service July 8.

Inventory Number: IDE 065 / SOLD