SPANISH AMERICAN WAR SHELL CASING FROM SALUTE FOR COL. C.H. WIKOFF, HIGHEST RANKING US OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR - SAN JUAN HILL

$295.00

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Item Code: 1240-14

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This fired brass shell casing was kept as a memento from the funeral of the highest-ranking U.S. officer killed in action in the Spanish-American War and comes with a period pencil note reading: “This Shell was fired as a Salute over Col. Wikoff grave Oct. 21/98” with “1898” added in period pen underneath. Born in Easton, PA, Wikoff worked as a civil engineer before the Civil War, enlisted as a private in the 1st Pennsylvania in April 1861 and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the 15th US Infantry in May. Wikoff (1837-1898) had worked with McClellan for a time in the late 1850s and although McClellan was not at the highpoint of his power in early 1861 he perhaps had some influence in the rapid commission, but Wikoff was a capable officer, wounded at Shiloh, losing an eye, and was at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge as well. He was promoted Captain in August 1864 and received a brevet to Major for his actions and remained in the regular army after the war, rising to Major, Lt. Colonel, and Colonel, serving in the 24th, 11th, 14th, 19th, and lastly, the 22nd US Infantry. He led the latter regiment to Cuba, where he was given command of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division of Shaffer’s 5th Corps in June 1898. He was killed in action July 1, 1898, while deploying the 13th US Infantry under fire in the attack on the Spanish fortifications and trenches on San Juan Hill. He was interred in Easton, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 21, 1898, with an honor guard consisting of his old regiment, the 22nd US, brought in from Pompton Lakes, NJ, the US band from Governor’s Island, and members of the Easton City Guard. It was reported as the largest military funeral ever held in the city.   [sr][ph:L]

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