Sword, Desk and Ephemera of George E. Alden The “Western Sharpshooters” / SOLD

Sword, Desk and Ephemera of George E. Alden The “Western Sharpshooters” - Inventory Number:  GRO 072 / SOLD

Civil War Grouping of Major George Edward Alden. Born in Massachusetts, and a resident of Missouri at the time the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Co. B, “Birges Sharpshooters” (later the 66th Illinois Volunteers / “Western Sharpshooters”) on Sept. 21, 1861.

By 1862, Alden's abilities and skills were noted, and he was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant on May 21st of that year. Another promotion to Captain and Assistant Quartermaster on March 12, 1863, put him into Field & Staff service. He served until resigning on Dec. 9, 1871. He applied for a pension on July 12, 1879. After his passing as a resident of Kansas, his widow applied for a pension on Jan. 1, 1923. Major Alden is buried in the Ellsworth Cemetery, Ellsworth, Kansas.

The Collection Consists of:

1. Alden's M1860 Field & Staff Officer’s Sword by Emerson & Silver, Trenton, NJ. Beautiful age-toned brass pommel with eagle, knuckle bow and kidney-shaped guard with relief eagle and a trophy of flags (small, repaired section to guard). 30° straight blade etched with an eagle and floral work. Reverse is similar but with "US" opposite the eagle.

2.  Major Alden's field desk, opens into 4 sections, including a flat writing area, drawers, and several "pigeon-hole" units. Weighs 42 pounds!

3.  Lot of Civil War Alden family CDVs including George by himself, one of his brother Algernon in his Captain's uniform as an Assistant Adjutant General, one with his brother Lewellyn (also in uniform), one with his wife, one of his brother Lewellyn alone in a sergeant's uniform, sister Harriet, and probably his son (it is not marked); also there's an original newspaper obituary, and a charcoal sketch of elderly Major Alden from 1911.

4.  Printed copies of his military service history, pension records and gravesite information.

5.  Incredible ORIGINAL letter (thick woven paper with "US" seal in top left corner) from then Lt. Col. James Oakes of the 4th US Cavalry to Gen'1 Grant asking Grant to promote Alden from his volunteer unit into the Regular Army. A transcription of the letter is typed out. Oakes has an incredible military history himself. West Point graduate class of 1846, served with the 2nd Dragoons during the Mexican War, promoted twice for gallantry during that war, wounded in 1850 in an affair against the Indians, promoted again in 1855 when he served with the 2nd US Infantry, serving through the Civil War in several roles, breveted Brigadier General & retiring from service in April, 1879! That's almost 33 full years of US Army service. No wonder he's buried at Arlington National Cemetery after passing away in 1910 at the age of 84! Along with his letter to General Grant, paperwork includes printed copies of his service records and gravesite information.

Inventory Number:  GRO 072 / SOLD