Description:

A star from General Ulysses Grant's uniform with wonderful provenance. It was kept by a veteran officer of the Battle of Gettysburg who later served with Grant as a Captain at the Wilderness Spotsylvania Court House Cold Harbor and Petersburg.

(ULYSSES S. GRANT) A 1" diameter gold bullion wire star, mounted to a 3.5" x 2.5" black bordered card bearing a manuscript identification: "Star from Genl. Grant's Coat From Capt. F. M. Acton 12th NJ Vols (Rebellion)" The card has been affixed to a 20th century board, 3.5" x 3.5" piece of thick cardstock bearing a printed label repeating the attribution. Creases and tear to card, some expected toning, else very good condition overall.

The recipient, Capt. Frank M. Acton (c. 1843-1895) enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant on August 16, 1862 and his regiment encountered heavy action in 1863 at both Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At Chancellorsville, the regiment, serving in the II Corps under Darius Couch, were heavily engaged and suffered 179 casualties. At Gettysburg, the regiment was heavily engaged at Bliss farm, and Acton was cited by his commander for his meritorious conduct (Maj. John T. Hill, Gettysburg After Battle Report, July 16, 1863). After wintering near the Alexandria and Orange Railroad (where Acton received his captain's commission), the 12th New Jersey joined Grant's army in its march south to Richmond, seeing action at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor and arrived at Petersburg in time to support the assault following the explosion of the mine. During that action, Captain Acton led a charge on the Confederate pickets. Acton was discharged for disability in December of 1864. Following the war, Acton lived in Salem, New Jersey, where he worked as assistant cashier of the Salem National Banking Company ("Death of Captain Acton," The Times, Philadelphia, Aug. 17, 1895, 3).

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June 21, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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