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Major Barnabas Ewer, Jr. 3rd and 58th Massachusetts Infantry

Killed in action at Cold Harbor

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$325

PENDING SALE

Item No. CV2907BZ Categories , Tag

Description

Carte view of Major Barnabas Ewer, Jr of both the 3rd and 58th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. An oil refiner in his civilian life, Barnabas would be commissioned a captain with the 3rd Massachusetts in September, 1862. A 9-month regiment, they would serve mainly in garrison duty at New Bern, North Carolina but would see some minor combat at Goldsborough Bridge and the Siege of Little Washington before being discharged in late June, 1863. The following May, Barnabas would be commissioned major of the 58th Massachusetts Infantry. Three months later the regiment would find themselves in an advanced position on the field at Cold Harbor. They would withstand a murderous fire in the face of the enemy and Barnabas would be severely wounded. The book “History of the 58th Regt. Massachusetts Vols.”, details the major’s wounding. “When he was wounded and brought from the battle-field on a stretcher and placed in an old barn in the midst of the wounded of our regiment, many of whom were dying, he, unmindful of his own danger, in his sorrow and solicitude for them, gazed around and exclaimed, with tears in his eyes, “poor boys, poor boys! Oh, this cruel war!” Soon after he inquired of the Surgeon, “Doctor, is my wound mortal?” The Surgeon replied “Major you cannot live half an hour.” Not a sign of fear was visible on his countenance at this terrible announcement. The pain from his wound was intense, but just as the sun went down behind the distant hills, gilding all around with his his last bright rays, and tending to render the scene more solemn, more sad, the Major turned on his side, closed his eyes, and his goal was reached. His spirit had winged its flight and attained his proper sphere in the beautiful land above, where there is no war.”. This view is from his time serving with the 3rd Massachusetts. Its is inscribed to Lieutenant Nathanial Morton who would serve alongside Barnabas in the 3rd Massachusetts. Across the top in period ink is “Lieut N. Morton”. Along the bottom in Barnabas hand in written “B. Ewer Jr Co. I. 3 Rg M.V.M.”. Back marked out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. This one is slightly trimmed along the bottom.

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