Lot 367
Archive of Major Walter Thorn, African American Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Six loose-leaf notebooks containing approximately three hundred items from the personal effects of Major Walter Thorn (1844-1906), who earned the Medal of Honor in the Civil War while serving as Second Lieutenant, Co. G, 116th U.S. Colored Troops at Dutch Gap, Virginia, January 1, 1865. The citation with the medal, which was actually issued on December 8, 1898, reads: "After the fuze to the mined bulkhead had been lit, this officer, learning that the picket guard had not been withdrawn, mounted the bulkhead and at great personal peril warned the guard of its danger."
Thorn first enlisted as a private in May 1862 at 17 years of age and served as an enlisted man and officer in three regiments, before being mustered out of the service in 1867. He served on the staff of four General Officers, as Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Aid-de-Camp, Provost Marshal, etc., in the Armies of the Potomac, James, Cumberland and Gulf. He was at Appomattox Court House for Lee's surrender and served on the frontier under General Sheridan.
After the war, in addition to practicing law, Thorn wrote for "The Independent" (editied by Henry Ward Beecher), served as Asst. Assessor and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue (his appointments are present), and was Deputy City Auditor of Brooklyn, and Shore Inspector for the State of New York. He also served for five years in the New York National Guard as Captain of the 14th Brooklyn Regiment and served as president of the Army and Navy Medal of Honor Legion and the War Veteran's and Sons' Association.
A group of war-related letters and documents include military assignments and general orders. Present is Thorn's appointment as 1st Lt. of the 116th USCT, signed March 23, 1865 by General E.O.C. Ord (document is separated at horizontal fold); also present are letters written in 1869 by Generals Ord and Godfrey Weitzel, recommending Thorn for his gallant conduct in the war. There are many typewritten and handwritten letters, speeches, musings (such as an invention for a ship's life preserver to keep it from rolling over if rammed) and numerous brochures from veterans' organizations, many reflecting Thorn's concern for the treatment of Union veterans and his bitterness at the inclusion of Confederate veterans in certain events. There are several copies of a spirited and somewhat acrimonious exchange of letters between Thorn and General Daniel Sickels in 1909 regarding Sickels' decision to leave the Medal of Honor organization headed by Thorn and start another. All in all, a fascinating look at the personal papers of this African American winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000.
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