Original Civil War Engraved Medal of Honor Recipient General Orlando Bolivar Willcox Presentation Sterling Silver Pitcher from the 12th Michigan Battery
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a truly exceptional and historically significant mid-19th century sterling silver presentation pitcher, standing an impressive 11 inches tall and bearing a finely engraved Civil War dedication to Medal of Honor recipient General Orlando Bolivar Willcox. Crafted in England and clearly hallmarked with the lion passant for sterling silver along with the anchor of the Birmingham Assay Office, the pitcher also carries the date letter “G,” confirming manufacture in Birmingham circa 1855–1856, just prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War.
The body is beautifully engraved in period script:
Honor To Whom Honor Is Due
Gen. O.B. Willcox
By The
12th
Michigan Battery
A formal and deeply respectful tribute reflecting the regard held for Willcox by Michigan troops. A graduate of West Point, Willcox entered the Civil War as Colonel of the 1st Michigan Infantry and quickly saw action in the war’s opening engagements. At the First Battle of Bull Run he led his men under heavy fire and was captured while rallying his regiment, remaining a prisoner until exchanged in 1862. Upon his return to service he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the IX Corps, where he served under General Burnside throughout some of the most critical campaigns of the war.
Willcox commanded brigades and later divisions in major operations including the North Carolina expedition, the Maryland Campaign, and the Overland Campaign under General Grant. He saw heavy action at battles such as South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg, where the IX Corps played a central role in sustained combat operations. His leadership in the field, particularly during the early phases of the war and under intense combat conditions, earned him lasting recognition, and he was ultimately awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry at Bull Run, where he continued to direct his troops despite overwhelming circumstances before his capture.
Presentation silver of this quality represented a significant expense and was typically commissioned by officers or enlisted men to honor respected commanders. The choice of Birmingham manufacture reflects the period preference for English silver, widely regarded as the finest available at the time. The pitcher remains in very good antique condition, with clear hallmarks, crisp engraving, and only honest wear consistent with age, presenting beautifully for display.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a named Civil War presentation piece to a Medal of Honor recipient, combining documented English sterling manufacture, direct regimental attribution, and strong battlefield history. Pieces linking a clearly identified Union general to a specific unit through period engraving are seldom encountered and represent a premier level of Civil War collecting.
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