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LOT 0056

Sultana Survivor Colonel William S. Friesner, 58th Ohio

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Sultana Survivor Colonel William S. Friesner, 58th Ohio Infantry, Family and Civil War Soldier CDV Albums

Lot of 2 CDV albums previously owned by Ohio native and 58th Ohio Infantry Colonel William S. Friesner (1838-1918), featuring 3.5 x 5 in. pocket-sized leather album with penciled identification on inside cover, " Col. Wm. S. Friesner / Civil War Comrades," containing 20 CDVs of soldiers from the 58th OH Infantry, almost all signed and inscribed on verso to Friesner. Accompanied by 4.5 x 5.5 in. leather album containing 43 CDVs of Friesner family members and friends, some identified in pencil on album page. Most are credited to Lancaster and Logan, OH photographers. A vignetted carte de visite of Friesner in uniform and an October 25, 1888 pamphlet in which Friesner is nominated to join the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States is also included.

William S. Friesner enlisted as a captain on October 9, 1861 and was commissioned the same day into Company K of the 58th Ohio Infantry. Notably, he was serving as a guard of prisoners of war aboard the Sultana on April 27, 1865 when three of her four boilers exploded and she sank near Memphis. He survived the disaster and went on to testify in the trial of Captain Frederic Speed.

The Sultana was a side-wheel steamboat built in Cincinnati in 1863, intended for cotton trade and built with a capacity of 376 passengers. On the fateful day of her sinking, the Sultana was carrying 2,137. Though her sinking is considered one of the worst naval disasters in US history, the news was overshadowed by the end of the Civil War and the very recent assassination of President Lincoln.

On April 21, 1865, Sultana left Vicksburg and traveled to New Orleans to pick up paroled prisoners of war. During the journey, one of the boilers sprang a leak. While in New Orleans, Captain James Cass Mason decided against a proper repair of the boiler as he feared the prisoners would be picked up by other boats. Receiving only temporary repairs, the boat then took on an enormous amount of paroled prisoners, a total of 1,960 along with 22 guards from the 58th Ohio Volunteer Infantry including Friesner and James Hines (CDV portrait included in album).

Sultana traveled north for two days, fighting against heavy flood waters, and around 2 am on April 27, near Memphis, one boiler exploded causing two more to follow. There are several contradictory reports as to how many actually died, however, well over 1000 lost their lives.Â

The causes of the disaster are attributed to flaws in the design and operation of the boilers coupled with the gross overcrowding of the ship. Despite the human error, no one was ever held accountable for the tragedy. Captain Frederic Speed was convicted for overcrowding the ship, a trial in which Friesner testified. His verdict, however, was overturned on the grounds that Speed had not been on the camp and didnÂ’t place the soldiers on board himself.Â

During the war, the 58th Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Chase starting on October 1, 1861 remaining there until February 1862. Under Colonel Valentine Bausenwein (CDV portrait included in album), they traveled to Fort Donelson, arriving on February 13 and joining the battle. They would then engage the enemy at Shiloh and Corinth before marching to Memphis after the evacuation. In December 1862 they would join ShermanÂ’s first assault on Vicksburg. It was in the opening engagement at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou (Battle of Walnut Hills) where two of FriesnerÂ’s companions included in his CDV album were killed in action and four were wounded in action. Notably, Lt. Colonel Peter Dister led the charge upon the parapets.Â

The 58th would go on help capture the Arkansas Post and in April 1863 joined Grant's Vicksburg campaign. In September they returned to Vickburg and would remain there on guard duty until they were mustered out. Â

The following soldiers from the 58th OH are included (views autographed unless otherwise noted): Lt. Colonel Peter Dister (ca 1828-Dec. 29, 1862), Co. B, promoted lieutenant colonel 10/2/1862 (KIA Chickasaw Bayou), unsigned, verso inscription in an unknown hand, “Killed at Chickasaw Bayou, Miss. while gallantly leading the charge on the enemy’s works”; Major Ephraim Cutler Dawes (1840-1895), Field & Staff of 53rd Ohio Infantry (WIA 5/17/1864 Dallas, GA, discharged 10/25/1864) "Dawes" written to verso alongside a cancelled 3 cent stamp and John A. Scholten of 82 N. Fourth St., St. Louis backstamp; Colonel Valentine Bausenwein (1829-1906) Field & Staff, promoted colonel 10/2/1861; Captain John T. Morrison (b. ca 1842), Co. I, F, & A, promoted captain 5/3/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); James Hines (b. ca 1841), Co. H & A. noted on the recto “was on duty when “Sultana” blowed up”, though he did survive the explosion in April 1865 (m/o 9/16/1865). Joslyn & Smith of Vicksburg backstamp. Signed “James Heins” and there does seem to be a discrepancy as to whether his last name was Hines, Hine, or Heins; 2nd Lieutenant William Larimer, Co. K & A, promoted 2nd lieutenant 5/3/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); 1st Lieutenant John H. Price (b. ca 1842), Co. K, A, & Field & Staff. Promoted 1st Lieutenant 7/1/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); 1st Lieutenant Philip Froebe (b. ca 1823),. Co. D & I. (WIA & POW Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862) promoted 1st Lieutenant 5/25/1864 (m/o 9/16/1865) Inscription to the verso notes that he was. “Awarded 17th Corps Silver Medal of Honor.”; Sergt. Major Louis Keller Co. A & F. promoted 1st sergt. (1/8/1862) Served aboard the gunboat Carondelet from 2/7/1863 to 4/15/1863 taking part in Steele’s Bayou Expedition (m/o 9/16/1865); Sergeant John Kanode (b. ca 1842) Co. K & A, promoted sergeant 6/1/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); 1st Lieutenant Enoch E. Parrish (b. ca 1838) Co. K, A & E, promoted 1st lieutenant 5/3/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865; A man identified as Ludwig Goldstein “sutler’s clerk”. No records have been found for a person with this name; Facing is an unidentified image with a Washington Gallery backstamp from Vicksburg. It is possibly a second image of William Larimer as the two men bear a striking resemblance; Major Samuel M. Morrison, Co. I. promoted major (not mustered) 1/1/1864 (died of disease 8/31/1864 in Circleville, OH) E.E. Miller of Columbus, Ohio backstamp; Stephen A. Defenbaugh (b. ca 1838) Co. I & Field & Staff, promoted 1st lieutenant 1/1/1864 (WIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862, m/o 1/14/1865); Charles Kette (b. ca 1838) Field & Staff & Co. A, B, & F. promoted 2nd lieutenant 3/27/1862. (WIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862, m/o 1/14/1865) served aboard gunboat Mound City 2/2/1863 to 8/1/1863 seeing action during Steele’s Bayou expedition and the Battle of Grand Gulf; Captain Christopher C. Kinser (b. ca 1817) Co. H, promoted captain 10/2/1862 (KIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862) unsigned, inscription by an unknown hand notes to the verso, "Photograph taken from an ambrotype taken at Lancaster, O. while his company was Co 'H' 41st O.V.I. and was in Camp of instruction”; Henry Oderfeld (b. ca 1825) Co. B, E. promoted 1st lieutenant 10/3/1862 (WIA Shiloh 4/7/1862; WIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862) verso notes, “ Awarded 17th Corps Gold Medal of Honor”; Joseph Dister (b. ca 1832) Co. C, F. promoted captain 1/1/1864 (WIA Belmont, MO, m/o 1/14/1865); Stephen Miller (b. ca 1829) Co. I & K. promoted 1st lieutenant 5/25/1864 (m/o 1/14/1865).
Condition Report: Some CDVs have clipped corners in order to fit in the album. Wear to pocket album leather with scuffing, edgewear, especially on creases and some peeling to lower spine cap. Larger family album lacking rear hinge, second rear hinge partially detached, clasps lacking, some edgewear with cracked spine and scuffs to leather spine. One page has been partially torn in an attempt to remove an image. CDV of Friesner faded and toned. Pamphlet with dampstain to top edge.

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USA, Cincinnati, OH
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Sultana Survivor Colonel William S. Friesner, 58th Ohio Infantry, Family and Civil War Soldier CDV Albums

Lot of 2 CDV albums previously owned by Ohio native and 58th Ohio Infantry Colonel William S. Friesner (1838-1918), featuring 3.5 x 5 in. pocket-sized leather album with penciled identification on inside cover, " Col. Wm. S. Friesner / Civil War Comrades," containing 20 CDVs of soldiers from the 58th OH Infantry, almost all signed and inscribed on verso to Friesner. Accompanied by 4.5 x 5.5 in. leather album containing 43 CDVs of Friesner family members and friends, some identified in pencil on album page. Most are credited to Lancaster and Logan, OH photographers. A vignetted carte de visite of Friesner in uniform and an October 25, 1888 pamphlet in which Friesner is nominated to join the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States is also included.

William S. Friesner enlisted as a captain on October 9, 1861 and was commissioned the same day into Company K of the 58th Ohio Infantry. Notably, he was serving as a guard of prisoners of war aboard the Sultana on April 27, 1865 when three of her four boilers exploded and she sank near Memphis. He survived the disaster and went on to testify in the trial of Captain Frederic Speed.

The Sultana was a side-wheel steamboat built in Cincinnati in 1863, intended for cotton trade and built with a capacity of 376 passengers. On the fateful day of her sinking, the Sultana was carrying 2,137. Though her sinking is considered one of the worst naval disasters in US history, the news was overshadowed by the end of the Civil War and the very recent assassination of President Lincoln.

On April 21, 1865, Sultana left Vicksburg and traveled to New Orleans to pick up paroled prisoners of war. During the journey, one of the boilers sprang a leak. While in New Orleans, Captain James Cass Mason decided against a proper repair of the boiler as he feared the prisoners would be picked up by other boats. Receiving only temporary repairs, the boat then took on an enormous amount of paroled prisoners, a total of 1,960 along with 22 guards from the 58th Ohio Volunteer Infantry including Friesner and James Hines (CDV portrait included in album).

Sultana traveled north for two days, fighting against heavy flood waters, and around 2 am on April 27, near Memphis, one boiler exploded causing two more to follow. There are several contradictory reports as to how many actually died, however, well over 1000 lost their lives.Â

The causes of the disaster are attributed to flaws in the design and operation of the boilers coupled with the gross overcrowding of the ship. Despite the human error, no one was ever held accountable for the tragedy. Captain Frederic Speed was convicted for overcrowding the ship, a trial in which Friesner testified. His verdict, however, was overturned on the grounds that Speed had not been on the camp and didnÂ’t place the soldiers on board himself.Â

During the war, the 58th Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Chase starting on October 1, 1861 remaining there until February 1862. Under Colonel Valentine Bausenwein (CDV portrait included in album), they traveled to Fort Donelson, arriving on February 13 and joining the battle. They would then engage the enemy at Shiloh and Corinth before marching to Memphis after the evacuation. In December 1862 they would join ShermanÂ’s first assault on Vicksburg. It was in the opening engagement at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou (Battle of Walnut Hills) where two of FriesnerÂ’s companions included in his CDV album were killed in action and four were wounded in action. Notably, Lt. Colonel Peter Dister led the charge upon the parapets.Â

The 58th would go on help capture the Arkansas Post and in April 1863 joined Grant's Vicksburg campaign. In September they returned to Vickburg and would remain there on guard duty until they were mustered out. Â

The following soldiers from the 58th OH are included (views autographed unless otherwise noted): Lt. Colonel Peter Dister (ca 1828-Dec. 29, 1862), Co. B, promoted lieutenant colonel 10/2/1862 (KIA Chickasaw Bayou), unsigned, verso inscription in an unknown hand, “Killed at Chickasaw Bayou, Miss. while gallantly leading the charge on the enemy’s works”; Major Ephraim Cutler Dawes (1840-1895), Field & Staff of 53rd Ohio Infantry (WIA 5/17/1864 Dallas, GA, discharged 10/25/1864) "Dawes" written to verso alongside a cancelled 3 cent stamp and John A. Scholten of 82 N. Fourth St., St. Louis backstamp; Colonel Valentine Bausenwein (1829-1906) Field & Staff, promoted colonel 10/2/1861; Captain John T. Morrison (b. ca 1842), Co. I, F, & A, promoted captain 5/3/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); James Hines (b. ca 1841), Co. H & A. noted on the recto “was on duty when “Sultana” blowed up”, though he did survive the explosion in April 1865 (m/o 9/16/1865). Joslyn & Smith of Vicksburg backstamp. Signed “James Heins” and there does seem to be a discrepancy as to whether his last name was Hines, Hine, or Heins; 2nd Lieutenant William Larimer, Co. K & A, promoted 2nd lieutenant 5/3/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); 1st Lieutenant John H. Price (b. ca 1842), Co. K, A, & Field & Staff. Promoted 1st Lieutenant 7/1/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); 1st Lieutenant Philip Froebe (b. ca 1823),. Co. D & I. (WIA & POW Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862) promoted 1st Lieutenant 5/25/1864 (m/o 9/16/1865) Inscription to the verso notes that he was. “Awarded 17th Corps Silver Medal of Honor.”; Sergt. Major Louis Keller Co. A & F. promoted 1st sergt. (1/8/1862) Served aboard the gunboat Carondelet from 2/7/1863 to 4/15/1863 taking part in Steele’s Bayou Expedition (m/o 9/16/1865); Sergeant John Kanode (b. ca 1842) Co. K & A, promoted sergeant 6/1/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865); 1st Lieutenant Enoch E. Parrish (b. ca 1838) Co. K, A & E, promoted 1st lieutenant 5/3/1865 (m/o 9/16/1865; A man identified as Ludwig Goldstein “sutler’s clerk”. No records have been found for a person with this name; Facing is an unidentified image with a Washington Gallery backstamp from Vicksburg. It is possibly a second image of William Larimer as the two men bear a striking resemblance; Major Samuel M. Morrison, Co. I. promoted major (not mustered) 1/1/1864 (died of disease 8/31/1864 in Circleville, OH) E.E. Miller of Columbus, Ohio backstamp; Stephen A. Defenbaugh (b. ca 1838) Co. I & Field & Staff, promoted 1st lieutenant 1/1/1864 (WIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862, m/o 1/14/1865); Charles Kette (b. ca 1838) Field & Staff & Co. A, B, & F. promoted 2nd lieutenant 3/27/1862. (WIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862, m/o 1/14/1865) served aboard gunboat Mound City 2/2/1863 to 8/1/1863 seeing action during Steele’s Bayou expedition and the Battle of Grand Gulf; Captain Christopher C. Kinser (b. ca 1817) Co. H, promoted captain 10/2/1862 (KIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862) unsigned, inscription by an unknown hand notes to the verso, "Photograph taken from an ambrotype taken at Lancaster, O. while his company was Co 'H' 41st O.V.I. and was in Camp of instruction”; Henry Oderfeld (b. ca 1825) Co. B, E. promoted 1st lieutenant 10/3/1862 (WIA Shiloh 4/7/1862; WIA Chickasaw Bayou 12/29/1862) verso notes, “ Awarded 17th Corps Gold Medal of Honor”; Joseph Dister (b. ca 1832) Co. C, F. promoted captain 1/1/1864 (WIA Belmont, MO, m/o 1/14/1865); Stephen Miller (b. ca 1829) Co. I & K. promoted 1st lieutenant 5/25/1864 (m/o 1/14/1865).
Condition Report: Some CDVs have clipped corners in order to fit in the album. Wear to pocket album leather with scuffing, edgewear, especially on creases and some peeling to lower spine cap. Larger family album lacking rear hinge, second rear hinge partially detached, clasps lacking, some edgewear with cracked spine and scuffs to leather spine. One page has been partially torn in an attempt to remove an image. CDV of Friesner faded and toned. Pamphlet with dampstain to top edge.

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USA, Cincinnati, OH
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