Extremely Rare Government Issued Poncho, identified to a Massachusetts solder wounded in action....

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Extremely Rare Government Issued Poncho, identified to a Massachusetts solder wounded in action. A vital part of soldier equipment, the India rubber poncho served the same utilitarian role as the "gum blanket"," seeing service not only as protection from rain and snow, but also as a ground cover, shelter, etc. In fact, the poncho really only differed from the gum blanket by the addition of a reinforced slit placed midway for the soldier to place his head through. This maker-marked example measures 44" x 69" and was used by 1st Sergeant Dwight P. Bradley, Co B, 37th Mass. Vol. Infantry. It is neatly inked in one interior corner "Dwight P. Bradley/U. S. A. 1861-1865/Co. B. 37th Regt." In the same corner are lightly stenciled two oval, red manufacturer's markings showing it was made by the "Union India Rubber Company" of New York. Condition is sound with a couple small patches of damage and a general crazing of the surface coating. All brass reinforced grommets are in place and the reinforced slit in the center still retains its tin closure button. There is some hand sewing near the slit to repair and reinforce it. Bradley was 19 when he joined the 37th in July, 1862. After fighting with the VI Corps at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and the Wilderness, he was wounded at Spottsylvania on May 12, 1864 and discharged as a result of those wounds in July, 1865. A seldom offered piece of essential equipment with a fine history.