Private John R. Hallam, Company H., 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Pocket watch and letter.

2 1/2 in. diam. pocket watch with silver hunter case (a few cracks to dial, some tarnishing throughout, not in running condition). Obverse features engraved scene showing a soldier mounting his horse. Reverse features engraved illustration of buildings and a bridge. Porcelain dial with bust portrait of George Washington as general and unusual cut-away area at six o'clock featuring smaller revolving floating porcelain disk with an illustration of a train. Front and rear cover interiors stamped with serial number "32909," with rear cover also bearing silver mark. Cuvette engraved "Winding / Without Key." Attached to the ring is a double-strand watch chain.

[With:] Hallam, John R. Autograph letter signed to his sister, Matilda Hallam. Chattanooga, TN. 15 December 1863. On patriotic OVI stationery. With yellow cover postmarked in Chattanooga. 3 pages, 5 x 8 in. Creased. Hallam addresses family issues and the desire that his father send him gloves and his needle case.

Provenance: Descended in the family of John R. Hallam through Mrs. Von Bargen, Cincinnati, OH, to Bernie Slayback of the Copper Lantern Antique Shop, Lawrenceburg, IN (handwritten note from Bernie Slayback, included here).

The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca