American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

A significant collection of items identified to US Navy Officer Augustus Henry Kilty (1807–1879), whose lengthy career spanned from the pre-Civil War era to his eventual promotion to rear admiral. He was best known for his command of the ironclad USS Mound City during the Civil War, where he was severely wounded but displayed great bravery. 

Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Augustus Kilty was the youngest and last surviving child of John Kilty (1756-1811), who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, reaching the rank of captain and eventually becoming a brigadier general in the Maryland militia. John Kilty was an original member of the Maryland Society of the Cincinnati, and Augustus became a member himself in 1844, following in his father's footsteps as a hereditary member of the patriotic organization.

In 1821, at age 13, Kilty was appointed midshipman, though he did not accept the commission until 1824. Over the next few decades, he gained experience serving in multiple theaters, including the Pacific, Asiatic, Mediterranean, and African waters. In 1832, he was involved in operations with Commodore George Reid to defend American merchant ships at Quallah Batto, Sumatra. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1837 and served on frigates in the Mediterranean Squadron before being placed on the Reserve List in 1855, just before the Civil War. 

During the Civil War, Kilty was recalled to active duty and given command of the ironclad gunboat USS Mound City in the Mississippi Flotilla. He saw action at the Battle of Island Number Ten and the capture of Fort Pillow. In June 1862, Kilty commanded a flotilla during an expedition up the White River in Arkansas. At the Engagement at St. Charles, a Confederate shell penetrated the Mound City's casemate, causing a steam explosion that killed most of his crew. Kilty himself was severely wounded, losing his left arm. After recovering, he commanded the ironclad frigate USS Roanoke. He was promoted to commodore in 1866 and served as the Commandant of the Norfolk Navy Yard before being placed on the Retired List in 1868. He was promoted to rear admiral on the retired list in 1870. After his retirement he moved to Washington where he remained for a few years, but soon returned to Baltimore where he died on 10 November 1879.

One of the centerpieces of the collection is a Civil War-era, 34-star American flag, which was reportedly flown from the USS Mound City while commanded by Augustus Kilty. The worsted wool flag, which measures approx. 95 x 187 in., is comprised of 34 hand-sewn, single-appliquéd cotton stars arranged in horizontal rows of 7/7/7/6/7, with 13 machine-sewn stripes, and a cotton hoist with brass grommets and jute rope. The hoist is inscribed "G(?) H(?) & Co." on the obverse, and initialed "A.H.K" [Augustus Henry Kilty] on the reverse.

The collection also contains a trio of swords owned by Rear Admiral Kilty: US Model 1852 Naval Officer's Sword by Ames with a 27 1/2 in. single edged spear point blade with a 20 in. stopped median fuller. Overall length 33 1/4 in. with a 5 1/2 hilt. Gilt cast brass guard with foliate motifs and a “USN” in a ribbon in the face of the guard. Grooved wood grip covered in shagreen with 15 wraps of twisted wire. Blade decorated with acid etched panels with foliate, patriotic, martial and naval themes. Includes the Ames marked gilt brass mounted leather covered wooden scabbard. -- US Model 1850 Foot Officer's Sword by Collins & Co with a 30 3/4 in. single edged spear point blade with a 21 1/2 in. stopped median fuller. Overall length 36 3/4 in. with a 5 3/4 in. hilt. Gilt cast brass guard with foliate motifs. Grooved wood grip covered in shagreen with 15 wraps of twisted wire. Blade decorated with acid etched panels with foliate, patriotic and martial themes. Includes the Collins marked gilt brass mounted leather scabbard. -- The remnants of a pre-Civil War 19th century US Naval Officer's sword. 27 in. single edged quill back blade with rounded tip. 32 in. in overall length. 4 1/4 in. hilt with an incomplete brass guard and knuckle bow, missing the pommel cap, backstrap, ferrule and other furniture. Blade etched “United States Navy” on the reverse and decorated with acid etched floral, patriotic and nautical motifs. No scabbard.

The following items are also included: Naval Officer’s double-breasted cutaway tailcoat with bright buttons and bullion foliate embroidery on the collar. The buttons are gilt brass, and the chest buttons include the backmark of “Firmin & Sons, London,” each face showing the arms of the US with stars above the eagle.-- Two (2) Naval Officer's bicorn hats with gold bullion accouterments, each accompanied by the original tin carrying case, one of which has a partial, applied paper label identified to "Kilty, 41 Mulberry St., Baltimore, MD," with "US Navy" written beside Kilty's name. An Adams Express Co. label is also pasted on the case. Both bicorn hats include a maker’s label, the first made by Wm. H. Horstmann & Sons (Philadelphia, PA), the second made by R.H. Stevens (Norfolk, VA). -- Tin carrying case containing a pair of gold bullion epaulettes and lieutenant shoulder knots. – Heavily worn hide cover. -- Augustus Kilty’s personal copy of The Office of the Holy Week. Baltimore: Kelly, Hedian & Piet, 1860. Inside front cover with bookplate of “A.H. Kilty” -- Trunk in which many of the artifacts from the collection were discovered, with engraved plate identified to "Dr. Richard McSherry, US Navy," approx. 16 x 18 x 36 in. Kilty family descendant Richard McSherry (1817-1885) was a US Army and Navy surgeon, medical writer, and founding member of the Baltimore Academy of Medicine.

Also enclosed are 3 items identified to Dr. McSherry’s son Richard M. McSherry (1842-1898), including: Society of Cincinnati of the State of Maryland certificate presented to Richard M. McSherry, “great grandson of Captain John Kilty, Third Regiment of Light Dragoons,” and signed by Tench Tilghman, President, and William S. Williams, Vice President, dated 22 February 1875. Partly printed on vellum, approx. 14 3/4 x 20 1/2 in. -- Richard McSherry’s personal copy of The Southern Poems of the War. Baltimore: John Murphy & Co., 1867. Inside front cover with bookplate of “Richard Meredith McSherry.” -- The National Medals of the United States and Essays and Addresses, authored by Richard McSherry. Baltimore: John Murphy & Co., 1897. FFEP inscribed by the author. 

An impressive collection related to Augustus Henry Kilty, a celebrated officer that devoted fifty years of his life to the US Navy and his country.