Inscribed Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver of Lt. Sprague S. Hill - 57th PA Infantry - Wounded at Gettysburg

American Civil War

.31 caliber. 4" octagonal barrel. SN: 140403 (mfg. ca.1858). Blued and color casehardened finish, silver plated brass blackstrap and triggerguard, one-piece varnished walnut grip. Single action percussion revolver with five-chambered round cylinder with Stage Coach Hold Up Scene, rudimentary hammer nose rear sight and brass post front sight. Barrel with two-line bracketed address that reads {ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW YORK CITY}. Lower left of frame marked COLT'S/PATENT. Matching serial numbers throughout including the wedge and grip. Backstrap engraved Lieut. Sprague P Hill 57th Pa Regt.

Sprague S Hill was 29 years old when he enlisted as a private in Company B of the 19th Ohio Infantry on April 27, 1861. The 19th Ohio was a 90-day regiment who saw their only combat at Rich Mountain on July 11, 1861. The regiment's term of service was nearly up at that point and they were mustered out on August 29, 1861. Upon mustering out, Private Hill was charged $1.48 for not returning his knapsack, straps and haversack. On November 14, 1861 Hill was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in Company C of the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry. The regiment departed for the defenses of Washington in mid-December and remained at that post until mid-March of 1862. That spring they participated in the Peninsula Campaign, fighting at Yorktown, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, and then saw combat through the Seven Days before Richmond. During that campaign they fought at Oak Grove, Savage's Station and Malvern Hill. On June 25th, the day the regiment fought at Oak Grove, Hill was promoted to 1st lieutenant. The summer saw them with Pope's Army fighting at Brawner's Farm and Second Manassas. The regiment wrapped up the year fighting at Fredericksburg.

1863 brought the Mud March for the regiment in January, and on February 28, 1863 Hill was promoted to captain and given command of Company C, which he had been the acting commander of since June 30 of the prior year. The summer campaign season included Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At Chancellorsville the regiment suffered 71 casualties. At Gettysburg the regiment was hotly engaged on July 2 and of the 207 effectives that took the field, 115 were killed, wounded or missing, resulting in a causality rate of slightly more than 55%. Hill was among the wounded that day, receiving a severe wound in the thigh. He was absent roughly 60 days while he recovered and returned to service in the fall for the Mine Run Campaign. 1864 saw the regiment take part in Grant's Overland Campaign which included fighting at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Harris' Farm, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor and the initial assault and Siege of Petersburg. That summer they also saw combat at Weldon Railroad, Strawberry Plains, Ream's Station, Poplar Springs Church and Hatcher's Run. The regiment was severely depleted by this time and in January of 1864 they were consolidated into a battalion of five companies.

On November 11, 1864 Hill was discharged, having completed his three years of service. He died in 1868. A large binder of information about Hill and his service, including copies of his service records are included with the revolver. An original Hill signed Ordnance Document from the 57th PA is also in the binder.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg