Major Frank Rolfe, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, KIA Battle of Harris Farm. Shoulder straps and ephemera.

4 1/4 x 1 3/4 in. major of artillery straps (darkening to bullion, wear consistent with age and use). Straps feature bullion borders and rank devices and red wool centers. Backs affixed with oilskin cloth bearing ink inscriptions, "Major Frank A. Rolfe / 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery / Killed May 19 1864 at / Spotsylvania, Va."

[With:] Rolfe's last letter to his wife. "Near Belleplain, Va." 16 May 1864. 1 page, 5 x 8 in. Creased, with some separation at creases and soiling throughout. Rolfe writes: "We have just heard that Butler has taken Richmond. I have been informed that there are 9000 rebels prisoners here. There are a great many wounded here also. A wagon train that our Army captured to-day just passed through here - there were 3 guns attached to the wagons..."

[With:] Letter from regimental chaplain Stephen Barker to Rolfe's wife. "Camp near Petersburg Virginia." 25 June 1864. 4 pages, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. Separated with heavy adhesive repair and discoloration to adhesive. Barker describes Rolfe's death and burial, noting that prior to burial he removed Rolfe's shoulder straps to bring back as a gift for Rolfe's son: "...I consented to have Chaplain Cudworth of the 1t Mass. Infantry help me bury Major Rolfe in the hated soil of Virginia. We wrapped him in a new blanket and buried him with his coat and full suit as he fell. I was so worn out and faint that I could not stand up at the burial. We put up a good board, well marked which Chaplain Cudworth assured me would stand and be legible for at least two years. Washburn of Co. F and McCarter of (A) who died in the hospital, lay near the major. I took off, the last thing, the shoulder straps from your husband’s coat. I hope to live and come home to see you and Frank and then I shall present the straps to the dear boy as my last gift from his dear and faithful father……Let me say with regard to the shoulder straps that they cannot be lost if I am for they are in my wife’s house in Washington and she will give them to you if I fall.”

[Also with:] Rolfe's hand drawn map on oilskin featuring Catoctin Mountain at Canal Ford and Weverton, MD, approximately 2 miles east of Harper's Ferry, where Major Rolf and the 1st Battalion of his regiment were stationed from September of 1862 until November of 1863.

Major Frank Rolfe, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery who was killed May 19, 1864 at the battle of Harris Farm near Spotsylvania.

The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca