FINE & HISTORIC INSCRIBED 1861 PRESENTATION SMITH & WESSON NO. 1 REVOLVER, CAPT. WM. CREIGHTON, 7th OVI, KIA BATTLE OF RINGOLD GAP, GEORGIA

FINE & HISTORIC INSCRIBED 1861 PRESENTATION SMITH & WESSON NO. 1 REVOLVER, CAPT. WM. CREIGHTON, 7th OVI, KIA BATTLE OF RINGOLD GAP, GEORGIA

01-24963
Cal. 22
S# 19816

Standard configuration, 1861 manufactured, S&W Model No. 1 second issue revolver. Fine two line inscription on backstrap “Capt. W.R. Creighton, the Printer Soldier / from the Cleveland Leader Boys”.

William R. Creighton (1838-1863) enlisted April 19, 1861 as a captain into Company “A” Co. 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, promoted Lt. Col. in June and colonel May 20, 1862. He is often cited in the Cleveland leader newspaper as the “printer soldier” in 1861 through his death leading his regiment at the battle of Ringgold Gap Georgia, November 27, 1863. The 7th Ohio already had the sobriquet, “the bloody 7th. They were a hard fighting regiment in 12th AC. When Creighton was badly wounded at Cedar Mountain, his good friend Lt Col. Orrin Crane took command as he recovered. Crane would be shot through the head prior to Creighton being shot through the heart, the bloody 7th losing both of their commanders within hours on Taylor’s Ridge at Ringgold, GA. Their bodies would be returned to Cleveland to a massive funeral procession and be buried side by side in Cleveland’s Woodland cemetery, neither man reached the age of 30. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: file of research, service records.

PROVENANCE: Ron Dickson, OGCA 1991; from the Lifelong collection of Robert “Mike” Bricker.

STATUS: ANTIQUE