Andersonville Prison Collection of Hiram Buckingham, Co. A., 16th Connecticut Infantry, One of the Few Who Escaped 

Lot of 5 items owned by Pvt. Hiram Buckingham, a resident of Hartford, CT, who enlisted on August 6, 1862, and became a member of Co. A, 16th Connecticut Infantry. On April 20, 1864, he was captured at Plymouth, NC. The men captured at Plymouth were referred to by the "Raiders" (Union prisoners who would rob and steal fresh meat) as "Pilgrims." Buckingham was one of the very few who actually escaped from Andersonville on September 20, 1864. 
 
This collection of 5 items was originally framed by Buckingham, and as Secretary of the Andersonville Survivors Committee, he had 2 cards printed up, which are part of the lot. The collection includes:
 
Buckingham's 4-part prisoner of war badge, which shows a prisoner being attacked by a prison guard dog, with text at top, Andersonville 1864, and at bottom, Death before Dishonor. Buckingham was from Connecticut and the hanger at the top of the badge states Connecticut Survivors of...bar below with Andersonville. Attached to red, white, and blue American flag ribbon. 3.5 in. ln.

3.5 x 5.5 in. card listing the officers of the National Prisoner of War Association. Buckingham's name appears as "Secretary, " and after his name, he has written Designer of badge. In the middle of the card is a picture of the badge he designed.

3.5 x 5.5 in. card with printed picture of the shanty that Buckingham lived in at Andersonville. Under the drawing in period ink, Buckingham has written H.B. Builder. At the bottom of the page in type face, Andersonville Palatial Residence. Along with this card is a 3.5 x 2 in. card that Buckingham had placed under the "shanty" card in his display. Written in period ink: Residence of/ Hiram Buckingham/ Andersonville Ga./ During summer 1864.

6.5 x 8.5 in. heavy card stock board from the back of Buckingham's framed items. The board is darkly toned, but in readable, period ink, Buckingham has written: April 20 to Oct. 1864/ Sketched by Charles Post, Essex Ct./ Co. K 11th Conn. Inf. an old schoolmate while/ in Andersonville, where he died Sept. 1st, 1864./ No. of grave 7487./ This shanty was built and occupied/ by myself and Charlie Post 11th. Conn. Norman/ Hope Co. A 16th Conn. Albert Walker Commissary/ Sergt. 16th Conn. and J.W. Merrill 24th N.Y./ Battery whom I took in sick. Got a pass one/ day to go out to cut wood and brought the poles/ and pine boughs with which it was thatched in/ my blanket./ I am washing in a big pine chip/ made my escape in Oct. by taking the name/ of a dead sailor John Sullivan. Ship/ under writer captured in New Berne, N.C./ For whom the Govt. made speech and made/ by way of Libby Prison Richmond./ Hiram Buckingham. Charles Post of Essex, CT, died of disease at Andersonville Prison on September 1, 1864. He is buried at Anderson National Cemetery, grave site number 7487.

2 in. photograph of Buckingham mounted in large GAR, 7 x 13 in., 5-pointed brass star, with 7 x 3 in. eagle at top and U.S. flag hanging below. The star is inscribed, Hiram Buckingham, Q.M. Sergt. 16 Conn. Vols. Mounted in a walnut board, 13 x 20.5 in. overall. Apparently, the different officers of the Andersonville Survivors Association were each presented with one of these personalized medallions. A very impressive piece!

A wonderful grouping that presents a truly amazing story regarding Buckingham, one of the few men who escaped from Andersonville, featuring a drawing produced by a tent mate who died at Andersonville.

Board from back of Buckingham's framed items has undergone dark toning, but writing is still legible. Otherwise, remaining items in very good condition.