Presentation Pieces in the Museum of History and Technology: Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, Paper No. 47 [Smithsonian Institution]Klapthor, Margaret Brown
History
Presentation Pieces in the Museum of History and Technology: Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, Paper No. 47 [Smithsonian Institution]
Klapthor, Margaret Brown
Silverwork
A large, elaborate vase[9] with two handles and a cover was presented to
Major General Silas Casey, U.S.A., in recognition of his services during
the Mexican War. The vase is inscribed:
To Capt. Silas Casey, 2 inf. U.S.A. For his bravery and skill at
Contreras, Churubusco and other battles of Mexico; for his gallant
leading of the storming party of Regulars at Chapultepec where he
was severely wounded. The gift of citizens of his native town and
others, E. Greenwich, Rhode Island, August 1848.
The vase is marked on the bottom with box-enclosed letters "G & H" and
"1848." The letters probably refer to Gale and Hughes, New York
silversmiths, or perhaps to Gale and Hayden, who were in business about
the same time.
Casey, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, received votes of thanks
from the Rhode Island legislature for his services in both the Mexican
and Civil Wars.
Lieutenant Colonel John Bankhead Magruder was given a silver pitcher by
his friends in Baltimore for his Mexican War service. The pitcher[10] is
urn-shaped, has a long, narrow neck, and stands on a tall base. The
entire pitcher is elaborate repousse in a design of roses, sunflowers,
and grapes. An arched and turreted castle is depicted on each side, and
on the center front is the inscription:
Presented to Lt. Col. J. Bankhead Magruder by his Baltimore
friends as a token of their appreciation of his Meritorious
Services in the Mexican War, October 16, 1849.
On the inside of the base are the marks "S. Kirk & Son" and "11 oz."
Magruder graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1830, and his
military career encompassed service under three flags within a period of
35 years. In the Mexican War he was brevetted major for gallantry at
Cerro Gordo and lieutenant colonel for Chapultepec, where he was
severely wounded. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Colonel Magruder, a
native of Virginia, entered the Confederate Army and was soon placed in
command of the Department of Texas, where he served until the close of
the war. He then entered the army of Maximilian in Mexico as major
general and was in active service until Maximilian's capture and
execution. When he returned to the United States he settled in Houston
and died there in 1871.
A silver service (fig. 8) consisting of four goblets, pitcher, and tray,
presented to Brevet Major General John Porter Hatch, U.S. Volunteers, is
interesting because it was given in recognition of services during the
Mexican War, the Indian expeditions of 1857-1859, and the Civil War. The
gift is from Hatch's fellow citizens of Oswego, New York.
[Illustration: Figure 8.--SILVER SERVICE given to Maj. Gen. John Hatch by
the citizens of Oswego, New York. Gift of Mark Burckle Hatch. In Division
of Political History. (Acc. 59476, cats. 16024-16026; Smithsonian photo
38259.)]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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