IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR SPYGLASS / TELESCOPE WITH CONFEDERATE HISTORY, brass three-draw body with bentwood barrel cover, engraved "E DIXEY LONDON / DAY OR NIGHT". Attached old typed note states "This glass belonged to and was used by Capt. George M. Cochran of 52nd Va. Volunteers in the C.S.A. and was also used in the Signal Service in that War. Loaned by Peyton Cochran, Staunton, Va." The present spyglass would have seen extensive service during the Civil War as outlined in the catalogue note below. Circa 1862. 14 1/2" closed, roughly 37" open.
Provenance: From the collection of H. C. Stuart and Emily Cochran, Stuart House, Staunton, VA.
Descended in the Cochran family.
Catalogue Note: George Moffet Cochran Jr. (1832-1900) lived his entire life in Augusta Co. He served in the Confederate Army during the entire Civil War. His first commission was as the Master of Ordinance for Confederate forces under then Colonel T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson. A receipt dated May 18, 1861 and signed by Cochran is in the archives at The Library of Virginia. It is for his receipt of fifty-nine flintlock muskets from Capt. Thomas McAllister at Harper's Ferry. Cochran served throughout the War with the 52nd VA Infantry eventually rising to Quartermaster of Brigade. His regiment saw extensive action including Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House, the Battles of Third Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek, and the Siege of Petersburg. Cochran eventually surrendered with his regiment at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. After the War he returned to his hometown of Staunton and became a prominent Lawyer and Politician.
Good as-found condition, unknown completeness, lacking screw-on piece to one end, wood barrel not attached at large end and with moderate wear, very minor losses to brass.