Civil War period wooden clarinet in good overall condition. The instrument is made up of three sections, the mouthpiece, the central body and the lower section attached to the bell.

The mouthpiece section is missing a piece of wood approx. 2.00 x 1.25 inches.

The center section has four finger holes, three on the top and one on the bottom. There are also tow brass keys. There is one small piece of wood missing that meas. approx. 0.75 x 0.50 inch as well as one key.

The lower section four finger holes and two long brass keys and a third key that is missing the head. The bell has two small old chips in the rim. The face of the bell is marked with the maker’s name and a logo in the shape of a bee. The maker’s name is faint but “A PARIS” can be made out.

Attached to the clarinet is an old typed label that reads “CIVIL WAR BAND INSTRUMENT / CLARINET CARRIED AND PLAYED DURING THE LATE WAR BY BYRON HOLTON OF ROME WHILE A MUSICIAN OF CO. E 117^TH R. N.Y. VOLS. IT WAS FOUND AMONGST HIS PERSONAL EFFECTS AFTER HIS DEATH DURING THE ASSAULT ON FT. FISCHER, N.C. ON JAN. 15. 1865.”

Byron Holton was born in Montgomery County, New York in 1841. In 1861 he was working as a boatman in Vienna, New York. He traveled to Rome and enlisted as a musician in Company E, 117^th New York Infantry on August 11, 1862. He is described as being 5’ 7 ¾” tall with a light complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

Holton seems to have been present with his regiment throughout his service. In September of 1863 he was reduced to ranks for some unknown reason. He saw action with the 117^th at Morris Island, Drewry’s Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Chaffin’s Farm, Fort Gilmer, Darbytown Road and Fort Fisher.

During the assault on Fort Fisher Holton was hit in the left side and abdomen by a bullet and died at a field hospital a few hours later. As far as is known Private Holton rests today in an unmarked grave in the Wilmington National Cemetery.

With the item are full military and pension records. It should be pointed out that these records were not Xeroxed as is usually done but they are color scans of the original documents. Several original letters written by Private Holton appear in the pension file. His mother had to prove that her son supported her with his Army pay in order for her to get a pension. She submitted these letters to the Government and they still reside in Holton’s pension file.  [ad]

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