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Whitney .36 caliber six-shot revolver in its Confederate holster, identified to Capt. Frank Harney of the 14th North Carolina Infantry, who fought and died at Gettysburg, having just wrestled the Union flag away from a federal color bearer. The walnut grips are crudely hand-engraved, "Cap. F. M. Harney, 14 NC" on one side, and "CSA ALA" on the other. Its accompanying brown leather Confederate-manufactured holster boasts a rare Alabama 'Map on Tree' state seal button as a closing finial. Both are in very good condition: the revolver boasts a handsome brown patina, and the holster is partially split along the seam and at the button hole.
Accompanied by a letter by Civil War relic expert Larry Hicklen, in part: "I am acquainted with this grouping from approximately 20 years ago when it first surfaced in a New England estate having been apparently taken home from the Civil War by a Union soldier as a war trophy. Both the revolver and holster are in nice condition and without question genuine. The real rarity of this fine grouping is that it belonged to a bonafide Confederate hero. Capt. Harney was a distinguished hero from multiple battles and died at Gettysburg, PA, having just wrestled a Union regimental colors from the Federal color bearer…Records show that the 14 NC was brigaded with many Alabama regiments. My speculation is that this revolver first belonged to one of the Alabama officers who had designated the revolver to go to Capt. Harney if something happened to him. Some records show Capt. Harney as a Capt. and others a Lieutenant. My belief is that Capt. Harney had recently been field promoted due to previous gallantry…I further suspect that the revolver had relatively recently come into Capt. Harney's possession before his death. My belief on this is based on the fact that Capt. Harney referred to himself as a 'Capt.' rather than a 'Lieut.' which would have been a rank that he only recently obtained." Also includes a binder of research materials, documenting Harney's heroics on the battlefield.
Frank M. Harney was a 23-year-old carpenter when he enlisted with Company F the 14th North Carolina infantry—known as the 'Rough-and-Ready Guards'—on May 3, 1861. He fought at the First Battle of Bull Run, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, and Fredericksburg, and saw action under Stonewall Jackson's command at Antietam and Chancellorsville. At Antietam, he and three other officers found an abandoned cannon and turned it on Union troops, protecting the forces of Longstreet and Lee. En route to Gettysburg, his unit engaged the 16th Maine Infantry and inflicted 80% casualties. At Gettysburg, the 14th North Carolina engaged the 160th Pennsylvania Infantry near the Lutheran Theological Seminary.
Harney's actions at Gettysburg were documented by Jefferson Davis's letter recognizing his gallantry, sent to Governor Z. B. Vance on August 19, 1863: 'In the action of the 1st of July near Gettysburg, the sharpshooters of Brigadier-General Ramseur's brigade, under command of Lieutenant F. M. Harney, Fourteenth North Carolina Volunteers, dispersed the One hundred and fiftieth Pennsylvania Regiment. That gallant officer with his own hands wrested the standard from the color-bearer of the Pennsylvania regiment and soon afterward fell mortally wounded. General Ransom, in communicating the above particulars, informed me that it was Harney's last request that the flag should be 'presented in his name to the President.' The wish of the dying here has been complied with. The flag is in my possession, and will be treasured by me as an honorable memento of the valor and patriotism and devotion which the soldiers of North Carolina have displayed on many hard-fought fields.'
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
