A Parting Gift: Fictional Origin of a Savage North 1861 Navy Revolver
What follows is a bit of fiction. Although based in historical facts its just my imagination’s musings about a very special revolver, made at the start of the American Civil War. At some level the events leading up to it being found in a family farm field in Texas could be explained just this way. Dates, names and places are all accurate. Only the movements of this (very real) revolver are up for interpretation…
A Parting Gift…
“Colonel, sir. Colonel Lee” Orderly Sergeant J. B. Hood said as he gently shook Lee’s shoulder. “It’s 5:00 AM as you requested. I have coffee for you while you do your morning reading. Just like you like it, strong, with cream and hot”. Lt Colonel Robert Edward Lee roused from sleep, sat on the side of his bunk and surveyed the room. His quarters for the past year had been a simple log cabin structure with a canvas roof. It was furnished simply with the simple accoutrements of the soldiers under his command. He took a Bible from the bedside, put on his reading glasses and took a sip of the steamy brew. It was his morning routine for many years as he read, meditated, prayed before dressing and facing the young soldiers in his charge of the Texas 2nd Cavalry. “Thank you Sergeant,” Lee responded, “I will dress after finishing my reading. I will address the men before I depart”. He prayed silently for his family, his 2nd Cavalry unit, his beloved Virginia and ultimately for the country itself. It felt as if it was being torn apart and it weighed heavy on him. Especially what he knew he would shortly be asked to do by President Lincoln. It would likely conflict with those he loved in Virginia.
Orderly Sergeant Hood continued. “Sir, I have your uniform laid out, most of your belongings are packed. Your horse will be saddled and ready by 9 for your departure”. Robert had been summoned back to Washington a few weeks prior and it was believed Lincoln would appoint him General of the entire US Cavalry. West Point accolades and family ties almost assured it. With the noise from his Virginia compatriots sounding louder every day for succession he was skeptical of his tenure.
As Sergeant Hood exited the room he stopped, turned back and said, “I almost forgot. A package arrived for you overnight by courier. It’s from Colonel Reeves over in Grayson County at Camp Reeves.” He continued, “There is a letter with it addressed to you personally”. Lee briefly pondered what it could be. He was unaware Colonel Reeves even knew he existed. “Thank you Sergeant Hood,” Lee said smiling. “And Sergeant, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your devoted service these past months. You have made me welcome and assisted me diligently in all respects. You’re a good soldier, son. It is my fervent wish that our paths cross again”.
Orderly Sergeant John Bell Hood stood a bit taller as he acknowledged the Colonels praise with a nod. A grin spread across his face as he walked away. He too hoped to once again serve Lt Colonel Robert E Lee.
With his morning routine complete Lee dressed quickly. He had never been comfortable with junior officers assisting him dress as was common practice in the life of an upper ranking officer. He packed his valise with his Bible, glasses, his orders from Washington and the small tintype of his lovely Mary Anna, surveyed the room one last time, sheathed his saber and walked out into the sunlight of a Texas winters’ day. It was March but still warm enough to be comfortable outdoors. As a seasoned soldier he was quite used to all kinds of weather. A light breeze blew from the north as he strode to morning roll call beneath the flag. The men were all assembled. Sergeant Hood was holding the box and a leather pouch with what he assumed was the letter from Reeves.
“Attention!” shouted Hood and the men snapped too. “Salute!”, he said. Lt Colonel Lee returned the salute and responded “At ease”. Roll call proceeded with all expected present and accounted for. Sergeant Hood reported as much. “Very well,” Lee replied.
Sergeant Hood faced Lee and said, “Colonel, the men would like to see what Colonel Reeves sent you if you’re willing. Some of the men suspect it’s a gift, a parting gift. Some of Reeves men have stated as much to our men.” The smile that fell across Lee’s face told him they were going to be favored with seeing the ‘gift’. They would have to be content not to know the contents of the letter.
Lee stood in front of the men he had led the past months. He took the package in hand, looked it over and untied the leather thong. He lifted the hinged wooden lid. What he found inside caused a momentary racing of his pulse. His fingers brushed across its cold steel, the wooden grips, the smooth cylinder and the curious configuration where the trigger should be. A revolver! Shiny in the blue-black steel, the wood a warm rust color. But that trigger. Actually two triggers with one of them bearing a ring at its terminus. He held it up for his men to see. Their reactions were mixed and ranged from delight to confusion to even a couple chuckles. None, including Lee had ever laid eyes on such a contrivance.
Lee decided he had better read the accompanying letter and on opening it read…
To Lt. Colonel Robert Lee, 2nd Texas Cavalry, Camp Cooper
From Colonel George Reeves, 11th Texas Cavalry, Camp Reeves (installation pending)
Robert
Though our paths have not yet crossed I wanted to send to you a bit of remembrance of your time here in the great state of Texas. I have yet to arrive but am convinced I will one day share the battlefield with you. I know of your new appointment. I also know your deep affection for Virginia and our southern heritage. I would be honored to one day report to you in command. Time and the muses will determine our paths ahead.
As for the revolver, it is a Savage – North (some call it Navy) 36 caliber beauty. It is the latest invention of Henry North and Edward Savage. The ring advances the cylinder while the trigger fires. It’s a solid shooter. I know the inventors personally and they gave me two of them. Yours is a duplicate of mine. It is but a small token of my esteem for you, your beliefs and what I believe to be in both our futures. A fight is coming and we’re in it. Use this revolver as you would any other. Its just a tool. You may have a favorite already and as such I have no feelings either way if you keep it or not. I wish you God Speed to Washington and wherever the fates take you. Remember Texas. God save the South!
May God be with you
George
Robert surveyed the revolver once again. “Sergeant Hood,” he said “have this revolver tested and report your findings. I will depart within the hour.” Sergeant Hood carefully placed the gun in its box and carried it to the waiting company of men eager to get their hands on it. Within minutes nearly every man in the unit had fired it, Most thought it a wonder, its trigger mechanism unlike anything they had seen. A few had refused, citing they only trusted their carbines and complained the handguns were ‘useless in a fight’. Hood returned it to the box, carried it to his quarters and cleaned it, polishing its now slightly used features.
At 9 Lt Colonel Roert E Lee appeared once again at the flagpole, his horse held waiting for him by one of the men. He surveyed the scene a last time, saluted the soldier, thanked him and mounted his horse. “Sir!” It was Sergeant Hood. “Sir I have your revolver. I took the liberty of cleaning it and securing a holster for you. It shoots well. The triggers take a bit of getting used to but they move smoothly.” Lee replied, “thank you sergeant. I wonder if you could do a small favor for me.” “Sir, yes sir. I would be honored to,” Hood replied. Lee looked at him and said “I have relation living near Weatherford on a farm about 75 miles west of here. I believe his name is John. I wonder if you could deliver it to him in Weatherford. I send him greetings and explanation in this letter I drafted. Please wish him well for me.” Lee continued “I do appreciate Colonel Reeves’ generous gift but prefer a sidearm with which I am more familiar and comfortable. My taste in most things runs simple. This is the latest design in modern firearms but I fear I will not do it justice. Besides, I prefer not to need to explain it to every officer I encounter.” A smile spread across his face as he said the last bit. Sergeant Hood thought he even heard a slight chuckle. “May God bless you and all the men” Lee said soberly.
With his assignment completed at Camp Cooper, his belongings already on their way to Washington and goodbyes said all around Robert gave his horse a nudge with his boot. The horse responded and he rode away from the place he had called home these months. He had been tasked with assisting negotiations with Texas secessionists. As Texas seceded the Union the army would be officially abandoning the Camp (Cooper). On his way to what he hoped would be a peaceful resolution to a country in turmoil. Seems he already knew, however, that there was many long, dark days ahead of him.
Overhead an owl flew over, late for its morning roost. Lee had heard local Indians describe owls as harbingers of some difficulty. Perhaps it knew something he didn’t. “Time will tell,” he whispered to himself. “Time will tell.”