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THE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT UNIFORM AND SWORD GROUPING OF BRIGADIER GENERAL EPPA HUNTON CSA

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Eppa Hunton was born near Warrenton, Virginia on September 24, 1822. After graduating from the New Baltimore Academy, he taught school for three years, then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1843, commencing practice in Brentsville, Virginia. He became prominent as a colonel, and later brigadier general, in the Virginia militia and as a Commonwealth attorney for Prince William County in 1849.

In February 1861, Hunton was a delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention, and advocated secession. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, he was commissioned a colonel of the 8th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army, participating in the First Battle of Bull Run in July. In October his regiment was part of Nathan G. Evans' brigade near Leesburg, Virginia, where he led his command against a Union force at Ball's Bluff, driving it into the Potomac River. Afterward, Hunton held brigade command in Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's corps, Maj. Gen. George Pickett's division. At Gettysburg during Pickett's Charge, Hunton was wounded in the leg. He was promoted to brigadier general in August 1863. After service in the defenses of Richmond, he rejoined Pickett's division and fought at Cold Harbor and in the Richmond and Petersburg siege lines. In March 1865 his command fought a heroic delaying action near Five Forks and again the following month at Battle of Sayler's Creek, where he was captured on April 6, 1865. He was paroled at Fort Warren, Massachusetts, on July 24, 1865.

After the war Hunton resumed his former law practice and became involved in politics. He was elected as a Democrat from Virginia to the 43rd and the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1873 - March 3, 1881). Hunton was not a candidate for renomination in 1880, instead resuming the practice of law. He was appointed and subsequently elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John S. Barbour, and served from May 28, 1892, to March 3, 1895. Afterward, Hunton again resumed his law practice in Warrenton, Virginia. On October 11, 1908, Hunton died in Richmond, Virginia. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery. We refer you to the "Autobiography of Eppa Hunton. The William Byrd Press Inc. Richmond, Virginia. 1933".

DESCRIPTION OF THE EPPA HUNTON GROUPING IN 4 PARTS:

PART 1: THE FROCK COAT. The hand sewn uniform coat is made of medium gray, probably English imported, broadcloth. It is approximately size 38. It is double breasted with a row of eight hand finished buttons holes in pairs running vertically from the collar. This configuration denotes brigadier-general CSA. The 7 remaining Virginia staff officer or general officer (in this case) buttons have all matching back marks of "Superior Quality", and these are possibly pre-war, or war time imported. The non-functioning cuffs respectively have 2 Virginia staff buttons remaining intact; originally there were 6. The tail of the coat has none of the original 6 buttons intact. There are linen pockets in the tail. The stand-up buff collar is made of fine woven wool blend which is backed by coarser grey broadcloth. This buff in collar is the regulation for Confederate general officers. The frock coat is of the "undress" or "walking-out" or to be more dramatic "battle dress" style. Accordingly, it was made without the embellishment of quatrefoil aka "chicken guts" on the sleeves. Nor is it piped buff. Other than the buttons in pairs running down the front and the buff collar his rank is designated by the finely embroidered gold metallic general officer's insignia sewn to both sides of the collar. When this coat came to light some 4 years ago, directly from a Hunton family descendant, the original insignia was missing from the collar. The new owner of the frock coat was able to track down an original matching pair of Confederate general's collar insignia. For these he paid $10,000. These were soon sewn in place on the collar of the frock coat. CONDITION: Overall, the exterior of the frock is 90% intact with all seams tight. However, there are dozens of small insects nips throughout some are bigger than others; none are offensive. The buff collar is perfect and shows some minor modern stitching along the top edge were its seams opened. The general's metallic embroidered collar insignia, of superior quality, is 98% intact showing very little age loss. The interior of the frock shows great wear, and this is explained by the fact that Hunton wore it in the field from the late summer of 1863 until April of 1865. Only 20% or less of the original polished cotton lining remains and as a result the interior breast pocket has been lost. The sleeves remain fully lined in linen. HISTORY: The frock when found some three years ago (it came directly from descendants of Eppa Hunton to Sam and Wes Small and immediately to the consignor) had sewn on the right breast a handwritten about 3 inches by 5-inch white cloth note. This was certainly created by his son Eppa Hunton Jr. This note, lightly tacked, is now detached from the coat for safe keeping and to keep it from harmful UV exposure reads:

"Gen Eppa Hunton’s Uniform – 1861-5

These holes were shot in it at Graveley Run in 1865 four days before Richmond was evacuated. The bullet struck his scabbard belt and was deflected probably saving his life. Riding with Gen. Lee a few days later Gen. Lee said “Gen. Hunton I wish you would have those holes

sewed up, I do not like to see them. Gen. Hunton replied: “If you will give me a furlough, I will go to my wife at Lynchburg and have them sewed up. "Gen. Lee replied: “A soldier must put country before wife and children.” Dec. 3rd 1905."

The frock exhibits 2 large holes caused by enemy projectiles. One has carried away the fourth from the bottom right Virginia staff button but amazingly leaving its shank intact! The other a several inches away to the right and down of this must have pierced ("struck") his leather belt before tearing a hole in the material of his uniform. In Hunton's autobiography he addresses his brush with death more prosaically when writing about the last days of the Petersburg defense March 31, 1865. He states, "I had three (sic) bullet holes through my cloths in the fight. One bullet went through my flannel shirt. Its direction was changed by my sword belt which it pierced. Another struck my scabbard and bent it nearly in double. When I reported to General Lee, he looked at my cloths all torn by bullets and said: "I wish you would sew those places up. I don't like to see them," I said, "General Lee, allow me to go back home and see my wife and I will have them sewed up. He said, "The idea of talking about going to see wives; it is perfectly ridiculous, sir"; and was rather amused at it"

"The fog of war" or a muddled recollection by Hunton 40 years after the fact will explain why he says "three" bullets through his cloths. It is clear to this compiler that Hunton was struck 3 times total One projectile carried away his coat button, another cut his leather sword belt and the material beneath it and a third struck his metal sword scabbard and mutilated it. Or a single projectile, not necessarily a bullet but a shell fragment, struck his sword scabbard and shattered sending fragments into his belt and uniform in making 3 holes. The whole thing is remarkable, and Lee's comments are priceless.

PART 2: THE GREAT COAT. This beautiful overcoat which belonged to Eppa Hunton and came to light with his frock coat is made of the finest black broadcloth. The size is about 38 to 40. Below knee length. It is entirely hand sewn in the most astute hand. Missing only the foul weather cape it is double breasted with a vertical row of six buttons in front. All buttons are extant including those for the cape, none have been resewn. The buttons are eagle "I" buttons. They all have brass backs which are unmarked, but their quality is excellent. The sleeves have a large cuff and are linen lined. The breast and back of the coat is lined with red wool. This overcoat is very similar to the one worn by General Hood (also black and red wool lined) now held by the former Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond. The condition is nearly perfect with a couple of minor tears and stains but has no insect damage. However, the ancient thread in several places has become brittle causing seams to open. These can be easily stabilized if desired.

PART 3: THE SWORD. The sword was procured by the Horse soldier prior to their acquiring the frock and great coat also from a Hunton descendant. This sword is of the US Model 1840 Staff and Field type is French made and imported. These principally by the firm of Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham of New York City. It has an embellished 29 1/4 inch blade the decoration is on the inner side only which is not the way it was made. The ornate hilt of the sword is brass with wire grips that are actually a cast design. There is a Napoleonic style, separately riveted, spread wing eagle surmounting lightning bolts on the outside the guard. There is on the inside folding guard a finely executed post-war inscription reading: "Brig. Genl. Eppa Hunton Army of Northern Virginia 8th Va. Infantry C.S.A.1861-1865". The iron and brass mounted scabbard is absent, that is, all but about a 1-inch-long mutilated piece of its throat. This fragment now covering the ricasso. When removed this scabbard remnant reveals a bright area of original burnish indicating that this piece was intentional preserved. Why? Because it is what is left of the projectile struck scabbard; we will soon extrapolate.

The consignor, an advanced Civil War collector for over 60 years, is certain that not only did Eppa Hunton wear this sword as a brigadier general but that he captured it at the battle of 1st Manassas from Colonel Michael Corcoran. Michael Corcoran, a colorful character to say the least, was appointed colonel of the 69th New York State Militia in 1859. With the start of the War the 69th marched to Washington DC. and was mustered into US service for 3 months, this was May. In the first major battle of the Civil War “Bull Run” on July 21st they met the Confederates and under a most deadly fire assisted early on in breaking the enemies' lines. The 69th being led by Corcoran screaming their Gaelic battle cry of “Faugh A Ballagh". Later Corcoran leading a charge was shot in the leg but stayed in command while his two color bearers were killed. In all the 69th rallied and charged three times. Other Union troops in this part of the battle retreated, but the 69th held their ground until some escaped but Corcoran was slightly wounded and captured personally by none other than Colonel Eppa Hunton of the 8th Virginia Infantry. Hunton saying something like, "You sir are my prisoner". The unit suffered 192 killed, wounded, and captured. Corcoran was immediately sent to Richmond's Libby prison. It is certain that all his trappings including his sword were taken by Hunton as spoils of war. When one examines the sword being offered it is clear that the obverse side of the blade has been scrubbed clean of the usual floral and patriotic motifs and what we are certain was once an etched presentation to Corcoran! The etching is not worn but actually erased while it exists unmolested on the opposite side. Corcoran was photographed prior to Bull Run wearing an 1850 Staff and Field officer's sword but that sword he could not have been wearing when captured. That sword remained with his family until sold at auction several years back. The auction house described this and another of his swords as follows: "The two swords presented to Corcoran both have Irish embellishments in additional to identical presentations which read “Presented to Col. M. Corcoran of the 69th Regt. N.Y. S.T. In Commemoration on the 11th of Oct. 1860”. One sword has the Irish harp replacing the US originally cast into hilt. This unique pattern was custom made for Corcoran where no other examples are known. The second sword is among the highest grade 1850 Ames Staff you will see with custom engraving. The large Panoply of Arms with an Irish harp emblazoned with four-leaf clovers in the middle panel with a large Liberty cap with rays above it. This sword is in almost new condition where Corcoran used it for dress as he is shown in an accompanying cdv wearing possibly this sword."

Using deductive reasoning the consignor has concluded that the Hunton sword was captured from Corcoran. He also believes that Hunton was holding this sword at Gravely Run March 31, 1863, and that the empty metal scabbard was struck by a projectile and bent nearly double! When struck it caused a deflection of a projectile that tore through Hunton's belt and uniform. The then useless mutilated scabbard would certainly have been discarded but Hutton kept a small portion of it as a memento.

After his run-in with General Lee and Lee expressing his displeasure at seeing Hunton's wounded uniform it is likely he sent the uniform and what was left of his sword back home to his wife. This had to have been done within 3 days of the incident and the fall of Petersburg. One would be naive to think that a man of Hunton's standing did not have, in his personal baggage, at least one more uniform and another sword. The uniform he donned was perhaps the full dress uniform he was photographed in with its quatre foiled sleeves (see attached). The sword he resurrected was probably a Model 1850 style which he appropriately wore as a colonel.

PART 4. THE SASH. The buff sash did not come with the other 3 items. It probably post-dates the Civil War but works well with the grouping for display purposes. Ideally Hunton would have had a sash described as "gold" in the CS Army regulations.

In 1908 the Richmond Times Dispatch ran an obituary on Hutton. In the picture they used it is clear that he is wearing his brigadier general's uniform and holding the very sword we are offering (see attached). This is one of the best Confederate groupings we have ever had the pleasure to offer. A uniform that General Lee himself marveled at and commented upon. [pe] [ph:L]

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