Union County, North Carolina Special Edition
Side by Side Coach Shotgun
The Union County, North Carolina Special Edition is a Collector's Grade 12-gauge side by side double barrel shotgun with rabbit ears, just like the ones carried by stagecoach drivers in the Old West. Fully plated in 24-carat gold, the engraved artwork is highlighted in jewelry-grade nickel.
Seaboard Air Line Railway, 1880 - 1980. Seaboard Air Line Railway was created in the 1880s by the consolidation of the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad, which dated back to the earliest decades of American railroads, and other lines in the Carolinas into a single system. Eventually, over 100 lines would be incorporated into the SAL. Finally, in 1980, Seaboard Coast Line Industries and Chessie System merged to form CSX Corporation
Skirmish at Wilson's Store, 1865. . By the end of February, 1865, Union forces under General William T. Sherman were advancing north from Columbia, S.C. in the direction of Charlotte, NC. The route of Sherman’s march was important to the Confederates in NC who were attempting to consolidate their forces in order to defeat Sherman and then, hopefully, unite with General Lee in Virginia to defeat Grant. During this time General Joseph Wheeler, commanding the Confederate Cavalry Corps of the Army of Tennessee arrived in Union County, NC and established his field headquarters at Wilson’s Store about 28 miles southeast of Charlotte and 11 miles south of Monroe. On March 1, 1865, Sherman ordered his cavalry, under Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick to advance on several roads leading out of Lancaster, SC in an attempt to make the Confederates believe that the Union army was marching on Charlotte. As Union Cavalry galloped up the roads to make their demonstration, they eventually ran into Wheeler’s men entrenched along Cane Creek and at Wilson’s store. Wheeler camped at Wilson’s Store from February 26 to March 2, 1865. When it became apparent that Sherman’s army was going east, Wheeler departed Union County and rode on to Anson County. General Wheeler would continue to fight Sherman across North Carolina. Battles would occur in Anson County, Moore County, Cumberland County and others, but it was in Union County that Confederates first faced off with the “Yankee Invaders” in the Tar Heel state during those eventful days of 1865.
Union County Courthouse, 1886. This is the most architecturally sophisticated and impressive building in the county. In keeping with his firm’s promise that their “architecture and building will be in the latest style of the art,” Thomas J. Holt, younger brother of prominent North Carolina architect Jacob Holt, combined elements from a variety of popular styles to create a building that was everything the Board of Commissioners hoped it would be. By 1926, the courthouse was overcrowded and in need of repair. Wings were added to each side and the interior was renovated. The courthouse was renovated again in 1986. Its restoration and reuse is the most important preservation project undertaken in Union County and the courthouse remains the single most significant property representing the history and development of Union County and its County Seat, Monroe.
Davie's Attack, September 1780. In September of 1780, coming off his victory at Camden, Cornwallis marched into North Carolina. His forces, stricken by illness, halted for two weeks in the area known as the Waxhaws, setting up camp on the north side of Waxhaw Creek. A corps of locally recruited Tories and British light troops protected his right flank. Early on the morning of September 20, twenty-four-year-old William R. Davie, only days earlier appointed the commander of all cavalry in North Carolina, initiated a daring surprise attack. Familiar with the terrain from his boyhood, Colonel Davie found the “lawless Marauders” around 2:00 A.M. on the plantation of Capt. James Wauchope, one of his own men. At sunrise, appearing from the corn that grew right up to the house, Davie and his corps of 150 surprised the band of 300 to 400 Tories, mounted and awaiting their orders to ride. The plan worked and the enemy fled in confusion, but not before setting fire to the house and other buildings.
Union County, North Carolina, Established 1842.. Union County was formed in 1842 from parts of Anson County and Mecklenburg County. Its name was a compromise between Whigs, who wanted to name the new county for Henry Clay, and Democrats, who wanted to name it for Andrew Jackson.
NOW YOU CAN OWN A PIECE OF COUNTY HISTORY! The Union County Special Edition is a Collector's Grade .12 gauge side by side double barrell shotgun, fully plated in 24-karat gold with the engraved artwork defined with jewelry-grade nickel and containing images inspired by Union County's distinguished history. A unique work of art for those collectors who value our history and great beauty!
ONLY 10 WILL EVER BE PRODUCED! Each is individually numbered and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. Reservations are accepted in the order in which they are received. To place your order or to find more information, please e-mail us or call (866) 895-9355. Ask about our hard-sided canvas presentation cases!
$ 2,895.00
