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Col. William Blaisdell (1815-1864) Civil War CDV, Early Soldier's Book & Silver Boston Constable Badge 1 1/2" diameter and Four (4) CDV Images of Col. William Blaisdell.
Col. William Blaisdell signed Soldier's Book and dated 1841 published by Samuel Coleman New York 1839. Period leather covering with leather strap. Affixed to strap is Blaisdell's Constable Badge from Boston (Pre-Civil War)
The booklet pertains to his time in the leading up to the Mexican-American War
William Blaisdell was born at Alexandria, New Hampshire, November 15, 1815, an eighth-generation descendant of Ralph Blaisdell, who landed at Pemaquid Point, Maine in 1635.
He enlisted in the 4th U.S. Infantry in 1833, served with Ulysses Grant in the Mexican War.
When the Civil War began, Blaisdell was working as inspector of the Boston Custom House. He was offered a captaincy in the U.S. Army by General Winfield Scott, but decided to join the newly forming 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the “Boston Volunteers”. as Lieutenant Colonel.
Blaisdell assumed command of the regiment when its founder and commander, Colonel Clark, resigned in October 1861, following the First Battle of Manassas, (Bull Run). Blaisdell commanded the 11th Massachusetts Infantry (with occasional stints at the head of the brigade) until mid-1864, when he was promoted to brigade command.
Less than a week after his promotion he fell victim to a Confederate sharpshooter in the entrenchments at Petersburg, as reported by Sergeant Gustavus Hutchinson:
“On June 23 Col. William Blaisdell was killed, being at the time on detached duty in command of the Corcoran Legion, Irish Brigade. While directing the construction of earthworks, he was dismounted, standing upon the raised mound of earth which subsequently became a portion of the main works of the Union army. While thus exposed, he was picked off by a rebel sharpshooter from the window of a house within the enemy's lines. His negro orderly crawled out under fire and brought his body back, but life was extinct.”
Estimated value: $4,000.00 - $6,000.00
