1862 CIVIL WAR SOLDIER'S "SQUIRREL HUNTER'S DISCHARGE

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

Rare and wonderful, 1862, original Civil War period, Lithographed Ohio Volunteer's "Squirrel Hunter's Discharge" elaborately illustrated and issued to one John W. Taylor by Governor David Tod. This fantastic and somewhat whimsical Civil War "Honorable Discharge" Document measures approx. 10" x 8" and was lithographed by Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. In the autumn of 1862, Kirby Smith's 6,850 Confederate soldiers threatened to reach the Ohio River. Governor David Tod called upon the citizens of the state to form militia companies to assist with protecting the border. The response brought almost 16, 000 men and boys, who came wearing an assortment of different clothing and carrying hunting rifles. It was noted that they looked like squirrel hunters. Since the Confederate army did not reach the Ohio River, the troops were sent home. On March 11, 1863 the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives voted to honor the men with discharge papers in recognition of their patriotism. These elaborately illustrated Discharge Certificates were issued to those who served. The Discharge features a portrait of a Civil War Officer at the upper left and of Ohio Governor David Tod at the upper right. Below the text is a fantastic image set on the banks of a river. A "rustic" looking "squirrel hunter" loads his trusty "squirrel gun" at the right and across the "river a squirrel sits on the limb of a tree eating an acorn. An American Flag bridges the banks of the river and above the flag is Seal of the State of Ohio. The text of the Discharge reads "Cincinnatti was menaced by the enemies of our Union: David Tod, Governor of Ohio called on the Minute Men of the State and the Squirrel Hunters came by the thousands to the rescue. You, John W. Taylor were one of them and this is your honorable discharge. / Sept 1862 / Approved by David Tod GOVERNOR / (signed in the plate by) CHAP W. HILL -Adjt. Gen. Of Ohio, (signed in the plate by) Malcolm McDonell - Major & A.D.C ". This rare and charming, Ohio State Volunteer Militia / Squirrel Hunter's Discharge is in good to very good condition. The Discharge is attractive and intact but has been trimmed to the line border at the sides and within 1/4" of the border at the top and bottom edges. There is some scattered surface foxing and light soiling. With a quality matting and framing this wonderful Civil War Lithographed Discharge Document will display nicely. A rare and fascinating, 1862 Civil War "Squirrel Hunter's Discharge" Document and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!! Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Insurance is required on all items selling for $400 or more and optional on items selling for under $400 (but highly recommended. If you do not want insurance please let us know. Please check out other early and interesting items offered by this seller on ebay. Important Notes about Shipping Charges and the eBay "Detailed Seller Rating" Star System: The amount quoted for Shipping & Handling is calculated by eBay and is equal to the EXACT amount charged by the Post Office plus a $1.00 "packing fee" - the $1.00 fee is our only compensation for the virgin packing materials we use on all of our professionally packaged boxes as well as our cost for the salaried help that does most of our packing - as I am sure you can see, we make NO profit on the Shipping charges and, in fact, our costs are usually greater than the $1.00 fee. We have NEVER requested Feedback from our customers as we were taught that "fishing for compliments" was impolite but the new eBay Detailed Rating System has put us in a rather tight spot. Most buyers are unaware that eBay bases a monthly fee discount on a Seller's "Star" rating. A monthly average of "4.6 Stars" (in any one of the four "Star" categories) costs us approximately $400 in additional eBay Fees - tha... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.