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Spectacular civil war Company "Records" box for Captain John W. Emerson of the 42nd Mass. Volunteer Infantry. The front of the box has been beautifully painted and reads as follows:

"RECORDS,
Co E 42nd Mass Vol
Capt. J. W. Emerson."

Overall the box is in very good condition, there is a split in the bottom wood as shown in the photograph, but the box itself is very sturdy and displays beautifully. The old leather strap that should be on top as a handle is missing as well, but the mounts are still there. There is an additional compartment inside the lid itself.
The box measures 17" long by 10" wide and is 13" tall. A truly fine example that would honor any serious collection. Please see below for more details on Emerson and the service of the 42nd Mass. during the war. These normally sell in the $2500 range, but I am please to offer this one at a much better price.

$1999.99 plus shipping

John W. Emerson

Residence Millbury MA; a 20 year-old Gunsmith.

Enlisted on 4/16/1861 as a Private.

On 4/22/1861 he mustered into "G" Co. MA 6th Infantry He was Mustered Out on 8/2/1861 at Boston, MA

On 9/30/1862 he was commissioned into "E" Co. MA 42nd Infantry He was Mustered Out on 8/20/1863 at Readville, MA

Promotions: * 1st Lieut 9/30/1862 (As of Co. E 42nd MA Infantry) * Capt 4/2/1863

Other Information: Member of GAR Post # 7 (Charles Russell Lowell) in Boston, MA died 7/13/1902

After the War he lived in Boston, MA

FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA (INFANTRY) NINE MONTHS The 42d Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil. was one of the new militia units raised to fill the quota of Massachusetts under the call of Aug. 4, 1862, for 300,000 men to serve nine months. Its nucleus was the newly organized 2d Regt. Mass. Vol. Mil. As there was already a 2d Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. in the service, this new unit was named the 42d Regt. in order to avoid the duplication of numbers.

The regiment was recruited at Camp Meigs, Readville, Brig. Gen. R. A. Pierce being commander of the camp. The various companies were mustered in between Sept. 13 and Oct. 14, 1862, while the field and staff were not mustered until Nov. 11. Under command of Col. Isaac S. Burrell the regiment left, Nov. 21, for Camp Banks, Long Island, N. Y., where the expedition for Louisiana was being organized. Here on the 3d of December it took transports for New Orleans.

Colonel Burrell and staff with Companies "D", "G" and "I" proceeded on the transport SAXON via Ship Island to New Orleans, reaching that city Dec. 16. On the following day they arrived at Carrollton and went into quarters at Camp Mansfield. Ordered to Galveston, Texas, to cooperate with the blockading fleet, Colonel Burrell with his three companies arrived at that city on Christmas Day, 1862. Taking possession of the city and erecting some works for its defense, on New Year's Day, 1863, they were attacked by a force which had crossed over from the mainland. Taking refuge on Kuhns' Wharf, after a gallant defense Colonel Burrell and his three companies were forced to surrender to the Confederate commander General Magruder. In recognition of the gallantry with which he had defended his post, Colonel Burrell was allowed to retain his sword. The enlisted men were paroled Feb. 18, but the officers were not finally released and exchanged until July 22, 1864.

Lieut. Col. Stedman with Companies "A", "B", and "F" on the transport QUINCY reached Camp Mansfield, Carrollton, Dec. 29. Companies "E" and "K" on the CHARLES OSGOOD arrived Jany. 2, while Companies "C" and "H" on the SHETUCKET did not reach camp until Jany. 15. The seven companies which now composed the regiment were made a part of Farr's (2d) Brigade, T. W. Sherman's (2d) Division, l9th Corps.

Captain Leonard with Companies "C " and "H " was employed during the first half of the year 1863 at Camp Parapet, the men serving as engineers and constructing a redoubt at that place. Here Captain Leonard organized a colored regiment largely officered by men from the 42d Mass. and known as the 1st Louisiana Engineers.

Companies "A", "B", "F", and "K" under command of Lieut. Col. Stedman were sent to Bayou Gentilly a dozen miles northeast from New Orleans and near Lake Ponchartrain. These companies were detached at various times and assigned to duty at different places. In June a detachment of 100 men was sent to Brashear City on the Opelousas Railroad and attached to a battalion of the 47th Regiment. On June 23 the garrison at Brashear City was captured and with it forty-six men of the 42d Regiment. About June 21 the headquarters of the regiment were transferred to Lafayette Square, New Orleans. About the 1st of July the regiment was transferred to the Custom House and there remained until the middle of the month when it was moved across the Mississippi River to Algiers and spent a fortnight picketting the Opelousas Railroad. On Aug. 1 it embarked on the steamer CONTINENTAL bound for home. After many vicissitudes it reached Boston via Providence, R. I., Aug. 10. Here the men were furloughed until the 20th when they assembled for the last time at Readville where they were paid off and discharged.

Source: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War