Extremely Rare Civil War Presentation Stoneware Lid with Eagle and Federa Drape Decorations, Inscribed "E.M POPE. Liet. Col. 8TH N.Y. Cavalry", circa 1864, small-sized, salt-glazed lid with Albany slip inscription to Edmund M. Pope, a Union lieutenant colonel in Company A of the 8th Cavalry from Rochester, NY--suggesting that this lid may have been produced in Rochester. Pope was promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel in early 1864, before becoming a Colonel in early 1865, establishing a fairly tight window for the production of this lid. According to The Union Army (1908), "The [8th New York Cavalry] regiment first came under fire at Winchester in May, 1862 ... . It distinguished itself during the siege of Harper's Ferry in September by escaping through the besieging lines at night, capturing some of the enemies trains while on the way. It fought ... in the famous cavalry battle of Beverly ford in June, 1863, where it sustained the heaviest loss of any regiment in the field ... . At Gettysburg it fought in Gamble's brigade, Buford's division, which opened that historic battle. ... In Sheridan's raids and the Shenandoah campaign in 1864, it served in Wilson's division. ... In the final Appomattox campaign it sustained a loss of 31 in killed, wounded and missing, fighting under Gen. Custer. Altogether the 8th participated in over 130 battles and skirmishes." Surrounding Pope's name on the lid are a series of Federal drape motifs, underscored by stars. The knob is decorated with a spread-winged Federal eagle. An extraordinary example, which melding American history with ceramic art. Lid broken into two pieces and reglued. Area of heavy chipping to underside at edge, some of which occurred in the firing. Diameter 5 3/4".