2002 Americana & Decorative Arts. November 20.

with "To Col. A. Jackson Smith" and "From Reception Committee / St. Louis, Mo. / June 27th, 1876" on sterling silver knob. Handle is 1.25" in diameter, and just over 1.5" high. The slightly knobby shaft ends in a worn, .75" nickel and steel ferrule. Overall length, 34". Andrew Jackson Smith had a stellar military career, graduating from West Point in 1838 and immediately posted to the Western frontier in operations against hostile Indians. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was serving as a Major in the 2nd California Cavalry. Transferred East, in rapid succession he was made chief of cavalry of the Departments of the Missouri, and Mississippi, before being made Brigadier General of Volunteers in March of 1862. He served numerous Civil War posts, was brevetted for gallant and meritorious service at Pleasant Hill, and was made Major General of Volunteer in May of 1864. He service was conspicuous at Nashville, and commanded the troops at the reduction of Mobile. At war's end he served first as a Colonel with the 7th Cavalry and later served as the Commander of the Department of the Missouri. Resigning from regular service in 1869, he became postmaster of St. Louis. Ironically, this cane, likely given to him upon his retirement, was presented a mere two weeks after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which many members of his former command lost their lives. A neat cane with great history!