High-Relief Carved Civil War Soldier’s Pipe Bowl

High-Relief Carved Civil War Soldier’s Pipe Bowl - Inventory Number: IDE 292

High-Relief Carved Civil War Soldier’s Pipe Bowl

An extraordinary testament to a soldier’s hand and heart, this Civil War-era pipe bowl is masterfully carved in high relief. Shaped into the fierce talons of an eagle—each claw adorned with applied silver tips—it grips a charred bowl, embodying strength, survival, and patriotism.

Across its surface, the raised inscription reads: “Willard A. Buxton / Battle Mill Cr. / N.C.” — a lasting tribute to a soldier’s presence at a hard-fought crossroads in North Carolina.

Likely crafted during rare moments of rest, this pipe was not merely a tool of leisure but a deeply personal keepsake, a tangible reminder of loyalty, endurance, and the fight for home and country. A rare and moving relic of the American Civil War, rich with history and human spirit.

Willard A. Buxton served with the Thirty-second Infantry 

WISCONSIN (3-YEARS) Thirty-second Infantry.

Cols., James H. Howe, Charles H. De Groat Lieut.Cols., William A. Bugh, Abel B. Smedley, Charles H. De Groat Joseph H. Carlton; Majs., Abel B. Smedley, Charles H. De Groat, Joseph H. Carlton, William S. Burrows. This regiment was organized at Camp Bragg, Oshkosh, was mustered in Sept. 25, 1862, and left the state Oct. 30. It reached Memphis on Nov. 3, and joined Sherman's movement toward Vicksburg, but returned late in Jan. 1863, the surrender of Holly Springs defeating the object of the expedition. The regiment acted as provost guard at Memphis until November, then moved to LaGrange reached Moscow Dec. 3, just in time to repulse the enemy's attack on Hatch's cavalry; was sent to Vicksburg in Jan., 1864, where it was attached to the 2nd brigade, 4th division, 16th corps, and took part in the Meridian expedition. It held a pontoon bridge at Jackson until the troops had passed and then destroyed it. The regiment was attacked in February by a brigade of Confederate cavalry, while destroying the Mobile & Ohio railroad, but it repulsed the attack handsomely. It returned to Vicksburg in March, thence to Memphis Tenn., Cairo, IL, and Paducah, Ky.; up the Tennessee river, 200 miles, to Crump's Landing; thence across Tennessee to Decatur, Ala., where it was attached to the 3rd brigade, and was engaged in guard duty and building fortifications. Cos. A, C, D and F. with a small additional force, engaged in a sharp skirmish with a large body of the enemy in May and was compelled to fall back. The following day the brigade, with artillery and cavalry, followed the enemy for 7 miles. The regiment, which was in the advance, met a portion of the enemy and drove them to their main force, where by an impetuous charge, the Federals completely routed them. The regiment also dispersed a small body near Courtland and then returned to camp. It was attacked by a superior force while guarding a wagon train at Courtland in July, but repulsed the enemy repeatedly, bringing the train safely into camp. The following day it was engaged in the action that forced the enemy from his works near Courtland. It then joined Sherman's army in the siege of Atlanta, was constantly under fire until Aug. 24, and it was in the battle of Jonesboro. It was transferred to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 17th corps, and was on picket and guard duty until October at East Point. It then moved to Atlanta and in November joined the march toward Savannah, destroying railroads and public property and skirmishing at the Little Ogeechee and Marlow. It remained in the vicinity of Savannah until Jan. 3, 1865, when the campaign of the Carolinas was commenced. It forced the enemy from his works at Rivers' bridge after an all day's struggle, losing 51 men. It repeated this at Binnaker's bridge and on March 3 drove the enemy back to his main line at Cheraw. It was in the heavy skirmish work at the Cape Fear River and at Bentonville it advanced through a swamp, charged with the 1st division and captured the enemy's works. It was in the general movement to Richmond, participated in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Crystal Springs June 12, 1865. Col. Tillson, brigade commander, said that since the war commenced he "had not seen a body of men that, in point of discipline and efficiency, excelled, and very few that equalled the 32d Wis." Its original strength was 993. Gain by recruits, 381; draft, 100; total, 1,474. Loss by death, 275; desertion, 58; transfer 27; discharge 189 mustered out, 925. source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 65

When Willard Buxton was born in March 1851, in Michigan, United States, his father, Cyrus Buxton, was 35 and his mother, Harriet W Gates, was 32. He married Mary Grafton Smith on 10 October 1886, in Barry, Michigan, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 1 daughter. He lived in Castleton Township, Barry, Michigan, United States in 1870 and Maple Grove Township, Barry, Michigan, United States for about 20 years. He died on 15 August 1930, in Barry, Michigan, United States, at the age of 79, and was buried in Barry, Michigan, United States.

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Inventory Number: IDE 292