Beschreibung:

Small folk art carved pipe, wood nicely grained and polished, possibly laurel root. Front features handsomely carved, large five point star over small crossed flagpoles, each flying a very small American flag, with the following letters carved in high relief around the star: W…R…U…S…K. With Chaplain Hills incised carved in a curved panel on left side of bowl's front, and Stone River incised carved in similar curved panel on right side. Underside of bowl with carved, semi-circular riband incised carved, Captured May 3, 1863 / Rome, GA. Overall width 2.375 in.; bowl height 1.75 in., dia. 1.25 in. The inscription on the underside of the bowl indicates that the pipe's owner was captured during Streight's raid, which began in Northern Alabama under the leadership of Union Colonel Abel D. Streight on April 19 and ended near Rome, GA, on May 3, 1863. Streight's goal was to destroy parts of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, which was supplying the Confederate Army of Tennessee. However, the raid was poorly supplied and planned, and concluded with the defeat and capture of Streight and his 1,700 men by Confederate Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his 500 men. The captured Union soldiers were then taken to Libby Prison in Richmond, VA, which suggests that this pipe was likely carved by a POW serving time at the notorious Confederate prison. Provenance: Property of N. Flayderman & Co. Condition: Attractive, polished appearance. Few light surface scratches, nicks, but very fine overall.