Description
Nice set of nickle plated Civil War traveling candle stick holders. These are the doughnut style candle holders that screw together to form a donut shape for traveling purposes. Once unscrewed, the candle stick holders which are contained within the two halves can be screwed into place. These were a staple for many troops during the war for their ease to carry and store. This pair is identified to Massachusetts surgeon, Frederick Wentworth Mercer. Frederick would move around considerably during the war. He was first commissioned into the 47th Massachusetts Infantry as an assistant surgeon in November, 1862. Mustered out of service in September of 1863, the following month he would be commissioned into the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry as a surgeon. The following April, he would resign and be discharged for a disability. His disability must not of hampered him for long. Four months later he was commissioned as a surgeon once again, this time into the 60th Massachusetts Infantry. He would serve a brief 3 months before being mustered out of service. His service would not end there. The following month Frederick was commissioned into the 20th Massachusetts Infantry to serve as surgeon once more. He would serve only 4 months before resigning his commission two days after the end of the war. While these are not engraved to Mercer, a tag on the bottom of one of the doughnuts reads, “Surgeon F. W. Mercer 60th Reg. Mass Inf.”. I have no doubt as to the authenticity of this identification. These belonged to a long time collector friend of mine.
