This beautiful presentation cane is packed full of incredible Civil War and U.S. military history, all of which stems from the inscription marked on top of the grip, which reads "Col. B.J.D. Irwin/U.S.A./Sept. 1st 1883./to/L.O. Faringhy." Bernard John Dowling Irwin (1830-1917) graduated from New York Medical College in 1852, shortly after becoming physician and surgeon at the State Emigrant Hospital on Ward's Island. In 1856 he was appointed assistant surgeon to the U.S. Army and would serve in various western outposts during the Apache Wars, up until the outbreak of the Civil War. In February of 1861, just before the Civil War began, a band of about 60 U.S. cavalry troops had been surrounded and besieged by a band of Chiricahua Apache warriors under the command of Chief Cochise in Arizona. Irwin, who was stationed there, gathered a group of 14 troopers of the 1st U.S. Dragoons and launched a rescue mission. Irwin strategically placed his very few men around the Apache band, making it appear that he had a much larger force, which in turn pressured the Apaches to flee. For this action, though it didn't yet exist, Irwin would later be awarded the Medal of Honor in 1862, making him the very first recipient of the award by date of action (not date of award). He went on to serve in various roles during the Civil War including being noted as organizing one of the first field hospitals at the Battle of Shiloh, and being appointed medical director under major general William "Bull" Nelson, whom he was attempting to rescue at the Battle of Richmond when he was captured. He served in various posts after the war, reaching the rank of colonel, and sometime during the remainder of the Apache Wars is likely when he met Louis O. Faringhy. Faringhy was a lieutenant in Company L of the 1st New Mexico cavalry, which was led by the legend of the American West, Kit Carson. The 1st New Mexico was stationed in various places around New Mexico and was involved in several skirmishes with Confederate forces during the Civil War. The connection between Irwin and Faringhy is unknown at the time of writing, thought it would appear that Irwin held him in high esteem. Besides the inscription, the knob-shaped gilt grip of the cane has extensive floral motifs and is fitted to a smooth ebonized shaft that is tipped with German silver and iron. It measures 36 inches overall.