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1)Tunic is very good condition except for what looks like some rodent damage to one part of rear skirt and wear to shoulder straps and slight discolouration (from sun?) to parts of left front. Nap of cloth is thin in places, liner is excellent condition- not mothed which is surprising for such a piece. Looks superb displayed together.
2) Very Large family Bible published in 1851 by Sam'l Hueston NY . Family record pages between Old & New Testaments are filled in w/names of William, his wife, & their children. Records marriages, births, deaths. Also several grandchildren recorded.
3) Original newspaper article from a local paper telling of his death and telling of his Civil War exploits
4) Civilian CDV of Wilkin, post-war. and large photo of him and wife
5) The Belt and sash in the photos did not come with the group but are original and as would have been worn.
6) Copies of his diary and letters, his service records and also much research on his units and battles. – large amount of research here.
7) A receipt and details from a well known and respected US dealer in Gettysburg The Horse Soldier, who sold the group back in Oct 2000 for $7950 (about £5000 at the time) but this was without any knowledge of the diaries/letters which obviously make this far more interesting.
Note - I found a photo of Wilkin wearing this very tunic was online and in a book on Gettysburg (copy photo included) and shows the very same miss alignment of one of the tunic buttons, presumably the button had come off at some point and was replaced this way!
William P. Wilkin. Enlisted as a Sgt. in Co. F, 1st WV Cav on 8-19-1861. He was appointed 1st Sgt. on 7-1-1862. In March & April 1863 he was home on furlough, but rejoined his unit in time to take part in Gettysburg Campaign. During the battle, 1st Sgt. Wilkin took part in Farnsworth's famous cavalry charge. Wilkin survived this charge only to be captured 3 days later at Hagerstown, MD, on 7-6-1863. He was taken to Richmond where he was confined until his parole at City Point on 7-23-63. After his return to 1st WV Cav, Wilkin was promoted to 1st Lt. in 8/63 & to Capt. of Co. F in 3/1864. Wilkin spent Sept. & Oct. 64 at dismounted camp in Hagerstown . In Nov. he returned to his unit & was mustered out 2-26-65, having resigned. Wilkin was wounded on several occasions. Captain Wilkin was tragically killed in an accident just a few years after the Civil War.
To my great surprise (as it was not found by previous owners who obviously did alot of research into Wilkins service), since purchasing the group I found a diary and letters written by him during the War in the US Army Military Institute archives which had been transcribed and I have copied which make fascinating reading - it appears Wilkin was quite formidable character in battle, almost fearless, various extracts talk of him alone reaching Confederate lines and battling his way out of harms way. His letters are from Feb 1862 - June 1864 (1 also from 1869) and describe in detail actions against Moseby, Gettysburg and his capture, which must have been horrendous from his descriptions etc, etc- 17 double sided A4 pages, most were published at the time in his local newspaper. His Diary is for the period March 6th 1863-31 Dec 1863(not a day missed) and again is 13 double sided A4 pages.
Also are many pages of research including his service cards/musters which all came with the group when I got it.
A truly special group to a man who rose through the Ranks and fought in some of most fearful battles in US history.
This grouping is being sold on a commission sale basis for a client and the description and photographs have been described by the client. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I will try to get a response for you. More photographs can be seen in the special items page of this website.
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