American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Oversized folk art carved wooden pipe, approx. 5 1/2 in. overall length (including stem), 3 1/8 in. bowl diameter, and approx. 5 1/2 in. bowl height (some soiling and wear to surface but overall good condition with crisp inscriptions). This carved pipe features bowl at center with a central encircled five-point star and an array of patriotic text highlighting the battlefield accomplishments of the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Along the rim of the pipe bowl: "Col: [sic] W.W. Averill [sic], Com: [sic]  3d Penna. / Cav." and just below that "Hail to the Chief." Center star surmounted by "The Union Forever" with "On to Richmond" below. Remainder of the bowl with battle details from regimental engagements during a bloody spring of 1862: "Yorktown Evacuated May 4" (reference to the Siege of Yorktown, April 5-May 4, 1862); "Glorious Victory at Williamsburg" (Battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1862); "Great Battle at Fair Oaks May 31 & June 1 & 2 Rebels Driven Back" (Battle of Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, May 31-Jun 2, 1862). Stem with  "General McClellan Successful Change of His Position. Battles June 25 to July 1" (reference to the Seven Days Battles, Jun 25-Jul 1, 1862)" and "Battles of Sth. Mts. & Antietam / September 14 & 17" (reference to Battles of South Mountain and Antietam, fought on Sept 14 and 17 respectively). Top of stem inscribed "1862" between artistic flourishes.

[With:] Typed note, 6 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (sight), framed to 17 x 14 1/8 in. (creasing at folds, light soil, unexamined outside frame). Note indicates the pipe was "Found In Knapsack Of A Dead / Soldier After the Battle Of / Gettysburg" and includes portions of text inscribed on pipe.

The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry, alternately known as the 60th PA Infantry or Young's Kentucky Light Cavalry, was steadily engaged throughout the Civil War. William Woods Averell (1832-1900), an 1855 West Point graduate, served as colonel and commanded the 3rd PA Cavalry from 23 August 1861 to 26 September 1862, during which the regiment participated in multiple engagements including at Antietam. Under Averell's leadership, the 3rd PA Cavalry was considered one of the most efficient regiments in the service. The regiment, then under the command of Lt. Col. Edward S. Jones, played an important role at Gettysburg on 3 July 1863, halting Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate forces from assaulting the rear of the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge. The regimental history for the 3rd Cavalry states that "The 60th was in the saddle in this campaign 20 hours out of the 24, for a period of 8 days and arrived on the field of Gettysburg on July 2, going into action immediately. On the following day, it assisted in meeting in the fierce charge of Hampton's division, losing 24 men killed and wounded." Though the original owner of the pipe remains unknown, the relic itself remains a powerful testament to the bravery of the 3rd PA and the pride with which its soldiers viewed their battlefield accomplishments.