Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. Now this is a fantastic grouping! This was recently acquired from the veteran’s family in Pennsylvania. Not only was Private Souder a veteran of the famed battle of Gettysburg, he was also present for the Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

William Souder entered service as a Private in Company M of the 1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry on August 5, 1861. The 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry (15th Reserves / 44th Volunteers) was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army as part of the Pennsylvania Reserves infantry division during the American Civil War.

Souder was wounded at the Battle of Culpeper Court House on September 13, 1863. He received gunshot wounds to both his face and neck. He re-enlisted February 15, 1864 and was sent to the 2nd Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry on June 17. He was discharged on August 7, 1865.

1st Pennsylvania Cavalry Engagements He Was Present For (more details listed on escutcheon)

- Battle of Dranesville
- Battle of Cross Keys
- Battle of Brandy Station
- Battle of Cedar Mountain
- Second Battle of Bull Run
- Battle of Antietam
- Battle of Fredericksburg
- Stoneman's 1863 Raid
- Battle of Chancellorsville (Company H)
- Battle of Gettysburg
- Bristoe Campaign
- Battle of Bristoe Station
- Mine Run Campaign
- Overland Campaign
- Battle of Haw's Shop
- Battle of Cold Harbor
- Battle of Trevilian Station
- Siege of Petersburg
- First Battle of Deep Bottom
- Battle of Hatcher's Run
- Appomattox Campaign
- Battle of Five Forks
- Battle of Amelia Springs
- Battle of Sailor's Creek
- Battle of Appomattox Court House

The Items In This Lot:

- M1860 Light Cavalry Saber by Ames: This is a very nice service-used Union cavalry trooper's curved Model 1860 saber made by Ames of Chicopee, Massachusetts. It is in very nice honest "attic fresh" condition, just as we found it, with no cleaning or restoration attempted. The markings are mostly clear and the brass hilt is in good shape with a nice honest patina. The leather grip binding is still in place wrapped with brass wire. The original leather grip exhibits the expected wear and aging to the leather.

The curved 35" blade's ricasso is faintly marked on one side with the maker information, which is almost completely faded. -

AMES MFG Co.
CHICOPEE

One the other side it is marked-

U.S.
A.D.K.
1865

- Ninth Plate Tintype Photograph in Partial Case: Everything about this image, including its presentation, makes it a splendid memento of the Civil War Era. This "Ninth Plate" (2 x 2.5 inch) tin type portrait shows Private Souder seated in uniform. He wears a closed Federal Coat. He has his left hand on his cavalry saber which is the exact one in this grouping, and while dark, the photo still has most details discernable.

The image is behind glass held in an ornate brass mat loaded with intricate designs edging the tintype. It is contained in a half wooden case, which originally would have had a cover held in place by a fabric hinge. This portion is unfortunately missing, as is the leatherette covering where the front portion originally attached.

- Service Escutcheon: This large document is essentially a service record for William Souder. It features a large federal eagle at the top with draped American flags with a patriotic border around the central text body. Fortunately, the image and text is still easily distinguishable, but the edges suffered what appears to be water damage and has significant tearing present. With a nice matched colored mat border, once framed this document would look as elegant as the day it was created! Originally the document would have measured approximately 25” x 16”.

This is truly an incredible grouping that once belonged to a young Cavalryman in the Union Army. Comes more than ready for further research and display.