Brooks Patent Writing Case ID’d to Alpheus Crawford, / 140th Pennsylvania Infantry / SOLD
Brooks Patent Writing Case belonging to Alpheus Crawford, who enlisted in the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry as a corporal in September 1862 and mustered out in June 1865. The Brooks' Patent writing case came in three styles: Writing, Work and Toilet Case, Writing and Work Case, and finally the Writing Case. This version of the case is a rolled oilcloth case with cotton fabric lining. The japanned metal tube at the end contains a shaving brush and inkwell. An inner flap contains a toothbrush, tweezers, straight razor, pen, a wooden tube full of sewing needles, bone pen knife, and bone mustache comb.
Inside the case is a label which reads: "Directions. To remove and curl from the Blotting Pad, roll it in an opposite direction. Brooks' Patent Military and Travelling Writing, Work and Toilet Case, weighing but 10 ounces. Patented January 5, 1864. "It contains a Tray with Inkstand, Envelopes, Pens, Holder, &c.; also a Folio with two Pockets, Blotting Pad to write upon, Checker Board, Lead Pencil, Paper, Scissors, Thimble, Buttons, Polisher, white and black Thread, Silk, Yarn, Pins, various sizes of Needles, Comb, Tooth Brush, Tooth Pick, Court Plaster, &c. The Writing case is distinct from the work case, and no article will fall out when the latter is unrolled. It can be useful on horseback. When rolled up it is only 1 3/4 inches in diameter, and is easily carried in the Coat Pocket.-Rain or dampness does not effect it. "One of our Generals remarked that this case would be carried on the march, when the Knapsack would be left behind. Many soldiers who have carried them through a campaign, would not part with them for many times their cost. It is heartily commended by prominent officers of the Military and Naval Departments. -ALSO- Brook's Writing and Work Case, (without toilet,) weighing 9 ounces. Brooks' Writing Case, (without work or toilet,) weighing 8 ounces."
Alpheus Crawford - Residence Greene County PA. Enlisted on 9/4/1862 as a Corporal. On 9/4/1862 he mustered into "A" Co. PA 140th Infantry. He was discharged on 6/6/1865.
PENNSYLVANIA ONE HUNDRED and FORTIETH INFANTRY (Three Years)
One Hundred and Fortieth Infantry. - Cols., Richard P. Roberts, John Fraser Lieut.-Cols., John Fraser, Thomas B. Roders ; Majs., Thomas B. Rodgers, Thomas Henry. The 140th was recruited in the counties of Greene, Mercer, Washington and Beaver and rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, where it was mustered into the U. S. service from Aug. 22 to Sept. 4, 1862, for three years. On Sept. 10, it left the state for Parkton, Md., and guarded the line of the North Central railroad for some time. While posted here it was thoroughly drilled and disciplined and in December joined the army just after the defeat at Fredericksburg. It was assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, and encamped at Falmouth. Here it was only too glad to exchange the old Vincennes muskets for new Springfield rifles. It participated with credit in the battle of Chancellorsville, where its losses were 44 killed, wounded and missing, and then returned to Falmouth. It arrived at Gettysburg on the morning of July 2 and lost heavily in the fierce fighting at the wheatfield. Its total losses during the battle were 241, more than half its effective strength, Col. Roberts being among the killed. In the ensuing campaigns in Virginia it was assigned to the 1st brigade under Col. Miles was active at Bristoe Station, and skirmished with some loss in the Mine Run movement. It then re-crossed the Rapidan and went into winter quarters until May 3, 1864, when it started on the sanguinary spring campaign. It lost heavily at the Wilderness; skirmished at Corbin's bridge; was engaged on the 9th at the Po river; its losses up to this time aggregating about 75. In two fierce engagements at Spottsylvania, on the 11th and 18th, the loss of the 140th was more than 100. It was also engaged at the North Anna river, suffered some loss at Totopotomy creek and again at Cold Harbor. Crossing the James, it shared with loss in the two assaults on Petersburg on June 16-17, and a few days later was engaged on the Jerusalem plank road. Late in July it crossed to the north side of the James and took part in the action at Deep Bottom, was engaged at Strawberry Plains and Reams, station in August; had its full share in all the subsequent operations of the corps, being active before Petersburg in September and in the expeditions to Hatcher's run in December. It fought at Dabney's mill in Feb., 1865, started on the final campaign on March 25; was engaged for four days at Hatcher's run; and participated in the final assault on Petersburg April 2. Joining in the pursuit, it was engaged at Sailor's creek, and fought its last battle at Farmville. Returning to the neighborhood of Washington after Lee's surrender, it was mustered out of service, with the exception of the recruits, at Alexandria, Va., May 30, 1865.
Comes housed in a 14 x 20 inch display case with red velvet backing and descriptive card.
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Inventory Number: IDE 176 / SOLD