A well documented collection that includes:
Inscribed Model 1840 US Army regulation cavalry saber with an aged brown scabbard. 44 in. overall length with a 35 1/2 in. blade. The blade is unmarked except for a Knights Head stamping. With a three-branch guard to which is affixed the original brown buff leather saber knot. Engraved in script along the inside oval of the guard is “Capt. W.L. Curry, Co. K, 1st O.V.C.E. Sept. 1st, 1861. D. Dec. 30th, 1864.” The grip is comprised of worn shiny black leather that is wire wrapped.
[With:] Brown buff leather belt outfit with a Model 1851 silver wreath eagle belt plate with a narrow tongue on the reverse. The belt is complete with a shoulder strap and two saber slings attached by two brass D-rings. At the end of the saber straps are spring loaded swivel clips for easily putting on and off the saber.
[With:] Model 1851 officer’s eagle belt plate with the integral wreath. This is the type that was privately purchased from a military outfitter by officers during the war. This has a narrow tongue on the back and is a nice mellow color.
[With:] A pair of dark aged brass army issue cavalry spurs with iron rowels and yellow-painted leather straps with iron horseshoe buckles.
[With:] Ninth plate tintype of W.L. Curry as a sergeant. Seated view of Curry with an open jacket showing his shirt and a large bow tie. His sergeant chevron is visible on his sleeve. He wears a tall forage cap on his head. Housed in pressed paper case with American flag emblazoned on the front (fully separated at hinge).
[With:] Two coat sized cavalry officer’s eagle “C” uniform buttons. Both marked on the reverse “*Steele Johnson”.
[With:] 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. elaborate 1st O.V.C. regimental brass badge. The top bar is in the form of a shoulder strap with “1st O.V.C.” in the center of the strap, t-bar pin on reverse. Suspended from the shoulder strap is an Army of the Cumberland medal. Behind the medal is a yellow ribbon listing the names of thirteen battles in which the unit was engaged during the war. A shield with crossed sabers hangs from the ribbon and is engraved, “W.L. Curry.”
[With:] 1 1/8 by 9/16 in. ornate heavy solid silver top half of an Army of the Cumberland Medal. “Army of the / Cumberland" is engraved around the name “Capt. W.L. Curry” within the oval. The medal has a t-bar pin on the reverse and red, white, and blue ribbon looped over the back bar.
[With:] 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. gold Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States medal inscribed with the number “9755” on the clasp (ribbon shows wear from prolonged use by Curry).
[With:] Inscribed and autographed copy of Four Years in the Saddle compiled by W.L. Curry. Columbus, OH: Champlin Printing Co., 1898. This is one of the definitive regimentals written about the cavalry during the Civil War.
[With:] Pamphlet entitled “Raid of the Union Cavalry Commanded by General Judson Kilpatrick around The Confederate Army In Atlanta August 1864.” It was “A Paper Read Before The Ohio Commander Of The Loyal Legion Feb. 4, 1907 By William L. Curry Captain 1st Ohio Vol. Cavalry.”
[Also with:] Autographed copy of History of Jerome Township Union County, Ohio by W.L. Curry. Columbus, OH: The Edward T. Miller Co. Press, 1913.
William L. Curry was born in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, in 1839. He enlisted in Company K, 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry in 1861 as a first sergeant and received a commission of second lieutenant in 1862. Later that year he was captured and sent to Alabama until paroled. At the end of the year Curry was promoted to first lieutenant and in 1864 he was made captain but not mustered. After the war, Curry became involved in local and state politics in the Republican Party. He promoted compensation for veterans along with planning 1st Ohio Cavalry regimental reunions. Curry wrote a book on Jerome Township, a history of the 1st Ohio Cavalry, and a paper on a raid near Atlanta that he participated in. All three publications are present in this grouping. He also served on the military staff of Governor William McKinley.
