Small knife with a BIG history

[ssggates]

Frankly, I do not know much about the knife itself (maker, origin, etc). But I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the man whose name is very faintly scratched into the handle. "Hug Co G 1st Mo Vol. Inf." is what can be read if you look closely.

 

Etienne (later Stephen) Hug, was born December 24th, 1829, in Alsace, France. At the age of 21 he was drafted into the French army and was sent to Africa, where he served two years in the 3rd Regiment of Zouaves in Constantina. From there he embarked for Gallipoli. During the Crimean War he fought in the battles of Alma, Inkerman, Balaklava, Tcharnaija and Sebastopal, where he received a serious wound in the left temple. According to a newspaper article "His bright and active mind could vividly recall the Charge of the Light Brigade, made famous by Tennyson". He also survived a devastating plague of cholera in which nearly 500 soldiers lost their lives. For his services he was said to have been awarded a medal by Queen Victoria on which were inscribed the battles he participated in.

 

He immigrated to America in 1860, lived briefly in New York and Pittsburgh, then headed west and settled on farmland near Carondelet, Missouri. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enrolled in Company G, 1st Missouri Volunteer Infantry at Old Armory, Foot of Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri, in April, 1861. With his regiment he was at the taking of Camp Jackson, and the battles of Boonville and Dug Springs. Then came the battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10th, 1861, where the 1st fought as part of Lyons' detachment on Bloody Hill. Isolated and outnumbered, they fought the Confederates to a stalemate at a great price, including the life of General Lyons. Corporal Hug was wounded twice on Bloody Hill, the second time severely. The combat service of this old warrior was over, and after spending many months in a Springfield hospital, he received a discharge in August 1862.

 

As for his unit, they were reorganized after Wilson's Creek into Battery G, 1st Missouri Light Artillery, and went on to further service. Hug returned to his farm. He later moved to a island near Crystal City, in an area still known to this day as Hugs Landing. He engaged in fishing and cultivated one of the most successful farms in the area.

 

He was very well known and respected in his area for his military exploits, and many favorable things were written about him after his death in 1917 at the age of 87.

[warcollect1942]

Great piece of history. Very interesting story. The bolsters look silver. Expensive knife for that time period.

[USdog]

Such a cool knife! Thanks for sharing.

[mdk0911]

very cool knife - well done!!

[Brian Keith]

Very Nice! Thanks for sharing the great history!

BKW

[doyler]

Now thats what I call a Professional soldier.The history he was part of is amazing let alone to survive battle and disease....amazing.Thanks for sharing.

[TheMariner]

Amazing knife, rarely do you find them attributed from this period! Keep up the nice finds!

[Gator]

Very nice and thanks for sharing.

[M24 Chaffee]

What an amazing pocket knife to have in your collection! Quite an interesting history for Mr.Hug. After all he went through fighting for France and after only a short time in the US he joins the fight and enters new battlefields! Thanks for the thread!

 

Frank

[ssggates]

Thanks for the comments everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[1SG_1st_Cav]

SUPER piece of American History! AWESOME!