CSA field desk

[Carlshafen]

This very cool ( i think) field desk ( my guess) was just given to our museum association in Texas.
It looks very original, lock changed as assumed key was lost and so newer one installed but still looks very old regardless, no markings on it. Type written note on old style typewriter says it belonged to Capt. M.G.Howe, Company E, engineer corps, CSA,trans-mississppi departments. I did find his name on that roster online. Painted on top "Eng. Dept. C.S.A. Papers ". Papers is in a fancy script. Cant imagine why
No-one wanted it can you.? Just looking for information. Thank you, NB Conservation.
Sorry, i have no idea why the images didnt post in correct orientation... just selected off my photo album.

1st time to post.

 

[Legion Para]

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the talk forum from Southeast Missouri located on the banks of the muddy Mississippi River. That is a very interesting desk, especially so because it is from the Trans - Mississippi Department.

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. Be sure to stop by the Weapons & Ammo and the Uniforms & Relics forum. Very nice piece and from the photos it appears to be correct. Here are MG Howe's Fold3 records and they do match.

 

[Carlshafen]

Thank you so much for the new info and documentation. It is missing the desk lid that would fold forward ( or down, back, whatever),the hinge holes/mortis is evident. When you fold the top board down there is nothing behind it but open space.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Hello @carishfen, neat piece.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. Neat looking desk

 

[major bill]

Is it possible that this is a chest for carrying officer eating plates, glasses and such? I do know some officers had these.

 

[ikesdad]

Is it possible that this is a chest for carrying officer eating plates, glasses and such? I do know some officers had these.

Maybe originally designed for that but with the "Papers" it could have been repurposed for such and was painted that way to differentiate.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome from South Florida, cool piece, thanks for showing us

 

[Package4]

Welcome from Maryland, very nice acquisition!

 

[M E Wolf]

This very cool ( i think) field desk ( my guess) was just given to our museum association in Texas.
It looks very original, lock changed as assumed key was lost and so newer one installed but still looks very old regardless, no markings on it. Type written note on old style typewriter says it belonged to Capt. M.G.Howe, Company E, engineer corps, CSA,trans-mississppi departments. I did find his name on that roster online. Painted on top "Eng. Dept. C.S.A. Papers ". Papers is in a fancy script. Cant imagine why
No-one wanted it can you.? Just looking for information. Thank you, NB Conservation.
Sorry, i have no idea why the images didnt post in correct orientation... just selected off my photo album.

1st time to post.

It could be a "map box" -- reason being Engineers often had lot of papers to make, copy and distribute maps. These would be known as 'papers' also -

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIII/1 [S# 90]
AUGUST 7-NOVEMBER 28, 1864.--The Shenandoah Valley Campaign.
No. 74.--Journal of Capt. Jed. Hotchkiss, Topographical Engineer, Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (Valley District), of operations August 4-December 31.(*)
[extensive excerpt]

Sunday, September 25.--We started the wagons on toward Port Republic at 1 a.m. At daylight the army came on, Pegram in rear, by Peale's Cross-Roads, Meyerhoeffer's Store, &c. Wharton preceded Pegram. I came to Port Republic to guide the head of the train. It went on to Brown's Gap. Harman and Allan were with me. I rode on to Staunton to look after my map box. Got there by noon. Found much excitement. They were evacuating the place. I dined at Major Harman's. Got back to camp by 10 p.m., having ridden forty miles to-day. A fine warm day. The enemy did not follow. Their cavalry came to Harrisonburg. We got our whole command into Brown's Gap, except the cavalry. Left them north of the South River. Headquarters at Mount Vernon Furnace.
[end of excerpt]

These boxes would have had to hold engineering equipment, pens, nibs, ink, etc., as far as a "writing slope" or "lap desk," the top looks too rough to write on, sitting on a person's lap. The length though, seems friendly to maps.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

 

[Carlshafen]

That makes sense. The "top" portion was just an open space with a hingled lid. The bottom had some cubby holes but not the kind that would be expected for letters etc... and is missing the lid that could have been the writing surface if in fact that is what it was. Thank you for your insight and ideas.