Sword and scabbard of George W. Brientnall (1846-1901).
Newspaper articles have claimed that Brientnall was the "Drummer Boy of Shiloh". See Notes. At least two others were also given this name (John Clem and Joby).
From Newspaper articles: George Washington Brientnall enlisted as a drummer in the Civil War when scarcely 15 yrs old and distinguished himself as a scout and guerrilla fighter. He was promoted for making a single-handed stand against 60 of Mosby's men. One gun shot was fired so close to Brientnall that he went blind. He was taken to Phila. and a surgical operation restored his sight. He then went back to scouting and fighting. He served in the 181st Regiment Volunteers. "A couple of dramas and songs have been built about his feats." Confusion remains due to fact that others were also called the Drummer Boy of Shiloh (John Clem and Joby)
Dying at 54, Brientnall's death was hastened by his exposure and hardship suffered during the war. He suffered from spinal crippling and he finally succumbed to heart trouble and the "grippe". Buried in Lancaster Cemetery.
Bridesburg Rifle Musket and Bayonet Belonging to Lloyd Mifflin
Description
a) U.S. 1862 Bridesburg rifle-musket; .58 caliber with bayonet. Stock of the barrel is stamped "L MIFFLIN" in two places. Used by Columbia, Pa. native Lloyd Mifflin (1846-1921) as a member of the Columbia Home Guard during the Civil War.
World War I Homecoming Medal for Returning Soldiers
Description
World War I Medal or award. Bronze stylized inner seal of Lancaster. Given to soldiers returning from WWI in 1919. (Safety pin sewn to ribbon on back.) See Journal article, vol. 97, #2.
48-star United States flag with "G.A.R." stamped onto stripes below and to the right of field of stars. The flag is hemmed with machine stitching on three sides (the bottom is selvage). Five small tacks on the left attach it too a round wood dowel with a pointed finial at the top. White paint on the dowel is peeling off.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 4
Storage Cabinet
Unit 19
Storage Shelf
Shelf 2
Storage Container
Box 0287
Object Name
Flag
Length (cm)
96.52
Length (ft)
3.1666666667
Length (in)
38
Width (cm)
39.37
Width (ft)
1.2916666667
Width (in)
15.5
Dimension Details
Flag is 15.5" x 11.5 inches
Stick holding flag is 38 inches long
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-11-20
Condition Notes
Faded/dirty overall. A few ink spots on third red stripe from the bottom.
Hourglass, two wood discs separated by four turned pillars which have been wedged into the discs. Hourglass comprised of two glass droplets connected by a doughnut constructed of string. Filled with pink sand.
Actually a half-hour glass.
Note on top reads, "Taken from the Cristobel Colon, July 5th, 1898"
The Spanish Flagship Cristobel Colon was sunk by the US Navy at the Battle of Santiago, Cuba, July 1898.
Four-barrel pocket pistol manufactured by C. Sharps and Co. Philadelphia, PA circa 1865. Model 1A, .22 caliber. Good condition. Engraved along the rear of grip, "J. P. Buyers, Buyerstown, Lan. Co." Serial No. 9757. Missing spring and barrel retaining screw.
Brass buckle of the sword belt used with the Civil War uniform of Jacob Pontz (1838-1929). Rectangular buckle is cast in high relief with a raised spread eagle with E PLURIBUS UNUM banner in his beak and an olive branch in one talons and arrows of war in the other. Foliate branches undergird eagle with a "U" formation. One brass clasp/clip of belt is loose - a part that would have fit end of now-missing belt and attached via clip on back of buckle.
See Pontz Sword #2015.031.1
Provenance
Passed from Jacob through his daughter Nelle who married a Pickering to the donor, the gr gr granddaughter of the Jacob Pontz.
Presentation sword and scabbard of Civil War officer and Lancaster native, Lieutenant Jacob Pontz (1838-1929). Sword has curving steel blade with ornate, pierced brass hilt. Sword blade is etched with scrolls and foliate decoration and silvered. Scabbard is brass with engraved inscription on one side: "Presented to First Leiut. (sic) JACOB PONTZ / Co. K. 77th Reg. PVVI / at Johnsonville Tenn. June 19, 1865". Scabbard fitted with two brass mounts with strap rings, a molded "cuff" at open end and sheath-like tip (a drag) at other end. Stamped at base of blade is "W CLAUBERG" and "SOLINGEN" with a standing knight.
Provenance
Passed from Jacob Pontz (1838-1929) through his daughter Nelle Audrey Pontz (1880 - 1975), who married Maylin Joseph Pickering (1880-1954), to their son Jack (John M. Pickering 1916-2014). Bequest of the John M. Pickering estate, as stipulated in his will.
Sword blade has areas of corrosion, some heavy. Blade has lost much of its silvering on etched decoration. Copper alloy finish on body of scabbard is heavily worn/lost. Some small dents. Cuff at scabbard's open end is loose with missing small nail or brad. Nail also missing on sheath at other end.
Both sword and scabbard were coated with oil (3-in-1), then wiped down with soft cloth.
Object ID
2015.031.1
Notes
See copies of Pontz records in file. Children of Jacob Pontz and Emma Palmer Pontz are:
1. Minnie Grace Pontz
2. Mary E. Pontz Byerly (1875-1950)
3. Nelle Audrey Pontz Pickering (1880-1975)
4. Ethel Maude Pontz McCown (1884-1947)
Swordmaker Wilhelm Clauberg began operations in 1854 in Solingen, Germany.
WRZ consulted with Steve Hench, long-time antiques dealer specializing in armaments, regarding condition. Since a treatment of the scabbard finish to restore original condition is not desired, he suggested minimal treatment by coating with a fine oil (3-in-1) on both sword and scabbard. Trying to remove blade corrosion would harm etched and silvered decoration. Performed 02/23/2016.
Place of Origin
Solingen, Germany
Credit
Gift of the Estate of John M. Pickering (1916-2014)
