Poignant Silver Cup

[kanemono]

I believe that this silver cup is the most poignant Civil War object that I own. This silver cup was given to Edward Gardner Abbott for Christmas when he was eight years old. Engraving was added when he was killed during the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862.

 

Edward Gardner Abbott was born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on September 29, 1840 the eldest son of Judge Josiah Gardner. Abbott recruited a Company of volunteers which his father, Judge Abbott, paid for with an unsparing hand, supplying every real or imaginary want of the men. The company was organized on April 25, 1861, and took the name of the “Abbott Greys” after his father. On May 24th, Abbott was commissioned as its Captain. The company was mustered into service for three years, and assigned to the Second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The Regiment went into camp at Brook Farm, West Roxbury, on May 11, 1861, eight days after the Lincoln’s first call for three year volunteers. Robert Gould Shaw was a Lieutenant in the Second Massachusetts and one of Abbot’s best friends. The Regiment was involved in fighting at Winchester, Bartonsville, Kernstown and Williamsport Virginia. In the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, Abbot’s Company was deployed to act as skirmishers preceding the regiment. The hardest fighting developed when the regiment reached the woods, there Abbott fell, shot directly through the neck. Edward Gardner Abbott, his brother, Henry Livermore Abbott and Robert Gould Shaw were members of the Harvard University Class of 1860 and all met their deaths during the Civil War. Robert Gould Shaw often mentioned Edward Gardner Abbott in letters he wrote home to his Father.

 

This American coin silver repousse cup belonged to Edward Gardner Abbott. It was made by Palmer & Bachelders of Boston, Massachusetts in1848 with a presentation inscription to “Edward Gardner Abbott, Christmas, 1848”, with additional inscriptions noting his birth in 1840 and death at Cedar Mountain, Virginia, August 9, 1862 as a Captain of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteers. Size: 3 1/8” high, "Pure Silver Coin"

 

“On April 22nd, a third company was started by Edward Gardner Abbott. Men rushed to his recruiting office, and in three days his company was full—his father, Judge Abbott, pouring out money with an unsparing hand, to supply every real or imaginary want of the men. This company was organized April 25th, and took the name of the Abbott Greys. It was incorporated with the Second Infantry, and on May 24th, Abbott was commissioned as its Captain. Few, if any, volunteer officers were commissioned for three years' service earlier than Captain Abbott.”

 

THE STORY OF HARVARD

By Arthur Stanwood Pier

Little, Brown and Company 1913

“Edward Gardner Abbott and Henry Livermore Abbott, brothers and members of the class of 1860, both met chivalrous deaths. Edward Abbott, captain in the Second Massachusetts, was killed at Cedar Mountain while exposing himself in order to steady his men. Henry Abbott, second lieutenant in the Twentieth Massachusetts, was shot through the arm at Glendale, but went on fighting, and fought through the next day at Malvern Hill. With his company of sixty men he led his regiment when it cleared the main street of Fredericksburg; thirty-five of his sixty fell under the Confederates' terrific fire. At Gettysburg the Twentieth again lost heavily; at the end of the battle Abbott, then major, found himself in command. In the battle of the Wilderness he was mortally wounded; dying, he directed that all the money he left should be used for the relief of widows and orphans of the regiment. Robert Gould Shaw, also of the class of '60”

Page 189

[kanemono]

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[MattS]

Very moving, can't help but think of the grief his father must have felt when getting the new engraving done. Thanks for sharing.

[Bill Scott]

A fantastic piece of American history Thank You for sharing it with us all.Scotty

[Allan H.]

I am in awe of this outstanding piece of history. It is hard to imagine one single item that encapsulates a person's life. The quality of the cup is exquisite. It is hard to believe that a family would let go of such a treasure.

 

I'm glad that you are able to be the custodian of this piece and hope that you can appreciate it and share the story of E.G. Abbot for many years to come.

Allan