Non-Dug Items
CAPTURED CONFEDERATE FIRST NATIONAL FLAG
COPIES OF IMAGE OF A MUCH OLDER CAPTAIN GIBB TAKEN AT A REUNION
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LETTER WRITTEN BY FAMILY MEMBER THAT CAME WITH THE FLAG
AN IMAGE OF THE FRONT PAGE OF THE AUGUST 13, 1862 NASHVILLE DAILY UNION
THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER OUTLINING THE "CAPTURE" OF THE FLAG
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HISTORIC PRINT NEWCOM TAVERN NEWCOM TAVERN TODAY
ABOVE IS THE ONLY OTHER KNOWN NASHVILLE "STORE FIND" FROM THE MUSEUM OF THE CONFEDERACY
- Civil War Flags of Tennessee
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SEE PLATE 118 WITH DETAILS ON PAGES 400 & 401
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Civil War Flags of Tennessee provides information on all known Confederate and Union flags of the state and showcases the Civil War flag collection of the Tennessee State Museum. This volume is organized into three parts. Part 1 includes interpretive essays by scholars such as Greg Biggs, Robert B. Bradley, Howard Michael Madaus, and Fonda Ghiardi Thomsen that address how flags were used in the Civil War, their general history, their makers, and preservation issues, among other themes. Part 2 is a catalogue of Tennessee Confederate flags. Part 3 is a catalogue of Tennessee Union flags. The catalogues present a collection of some 200 identified, extant Civil War flags and another 300 flags that are known through secondary and archival sources, all of which are exhaustively documented. Appendices follow the two catalogue sections and include detailed information on several Confederate and Union flags associated with the states of Mississippi, North Carolina, and Indiana that are also contained in the Tennessee State Museum collection.
Complete with nearly 300 color illustrations and meticulous notes on textiles and preservation efforts, this volume is much more than an encyclopedic log of Tennessee-related Civil War flags. Stephen Cox and his team also weave the history behind the flags throughout the catalogues, including the stories of the women who stitched them, the regiments that bore them, and the soldiers and bearers who served under them and carried them. Civil War Flags of Tennessee is an eloquent hybrid between guidebook and chronicle, and the scholar, the Civil War enthusiast, and the general reader will all enjoy what can be found in its pages.
Unprecedented in its variety and depth, Cox’s work fills an important historiographical void within the greater context of the American Civil War. This text demonstrates the importance of Tennessee state heritage and the value of public history, reminding readers that each generation has the honor and responsibility of learning from and preserving the history that has shaped us all—and in doing so, honoring the lives of the soldiers and civilians who sacrificed and persevered.
DON TROIANI
On March 4, 1861 the flag that the Confederacy adopted as its National Standard was first raised on Capitol Hill in Montgomery, Alabama. Jefferson Davis, ex-U.S. Secretary of War and new president of the Confederacy, invited Letitia Christian Tyler to raise the first official flag of the new Confederacy. Miss Tyler had been born in the White House, the capitol of the United States. She was the granddaughter of ex-U.S. President John Tyler. The seven star flag Miss Tyler raised that day has come to be known as the First National Confederate Flag, or the Stars and Bars. The circle of seven stars in the canton represented the seven Southern States that had seceded up until that time: South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. Another six states followed; Virginia on April 17th, Arkansas, May 6th, Tennessee, May 7th, North Carolina, May 20th, Missouri, August 5th, and Kentucky on November 5th. A star was added to the flag for each new state that joined the Southern Confederacy.
This First National Flag was purchased from the descendants of the soldier that captured it. Remarkably, after I purchased the flag , a well known author and authority on Confederate flags came across a period newspaper clipping outlining the events leading to its capture. The article in the "Nashville Daily Union"dated August 13, 1862 reads " On last Monday Captain Gibbs of the Sixty-ninth Ohio, on information given them, searched the grocery store of a Mr. Buddeke on Market Street, and found a large and elegant rebel flag, which formerly belonged to one of the rebel companies of this place, concealed in the upper story of the building. The flag is said to be a very handsome one, and there were probably a large quantity of infractions of third commandment when it was seized". I have found the entire year of publication of this paper on the internet and the "infractions" comment may be referenced to an earlier article (July 29, 1862) in the same paper outlining the military law in Nashville at this time and clearly states that "no soldier is allowed to make searches or captures except by order of his commanding officers: and all captured property belongs to the Government of the United States, and not the officer or soldier making the capture". The article goes on to state that "such a crime merits and will receive the severest punishment authorized by law." Therefore I don't think that it is a coincident that the date Captain Gibbs captured the flag coincides with the date of his discharge. It may be assumed that Captain Gibbs knew of the flag and on the day of his discharge he dropped in and "commandeered" the flag to take home as a souvenir. The regiment itself served in Nashville from June 20, 1862 to July 31, 1862 before moving off to somewhere else. Included with the flag was a picture of Captain Gibbs in later years and no doubt at a reunion with his comrades. Also included is a letter from a family member written some years ago providing the history of the flag. The writer states that the flag was displayed in the Newcom tavern and laments the fact that the flag is in poor shape as a direct result of souvenir hunters helping themselves to pieces of it. The Newcom tavern still stands today and is the oldest building in Dayton and in much the same condition as it was originally. The flag measure 4' x 7' and other than the ravages of drunken bar patrons is not in bad shape for 150 year old flag. The white sections as can be seen in the picture have seen the most deterioration and has the most loss. From the information. This is the second known First National Flag flag taken by a Union unit from a Nashville store. The Museum of the Confederacy has the other example, the "Wilson Invincibles". I was hoping to identify this flag to a unit but a number of units were raised in Nashville and Davidson County. There was one big flag maker in town by the name of John Luck who made flags for units of the Middle TN region. A lot of units passed through Nashville on the way to Fort Donelson or Bowling Green, KY. and then back through Nashville when Bowling Green was evacuated in February 1862. Nashville fell to the Union on February 25th, 1862 and they held it for the rest of the war. I SOLD THIS ITEM AT THE POULIN AUCTION NOVEMBER 6/22
(Reference: Actual flag featured on page 118 with details on pages 400 & 401 of above Stephen Cox book)
This First National Flag was purchased from the descendants of the soldier that captured it. Remarkably, after I purchased the flag , a well known author and authority on Confederate flags came across a period newspaper clipping outlining the events leading to its capture. The article in the "Nashville Daily Union"dated August 13, 1862 reads " On last Monday Captain Gibbs of the Sixty-ninth Ohio, on information given them, searched the grocery store of a Mr. Buddeke on Market Street, and found a large and elegant rebel flag, which formerly belonged to one of the rebel companies of this place, concealed in the upper story of the building. The flag is said to be a very handsome one, and there were probably a large quantity of infractions of third commandment when it was seized". I have found the entire year of publication of this paper on the internet and the "infractions" comment may be referenced to an earlier article (July 29, 1862) in the same paper outlining the military law in Nashville at this time and clearly states that "no soldier is allowed to make searches or captures except by order of his commanding officers: and all captured property belongs to the Government of the United States, and not the officer or soldier making the capture". The article goes on to state that "such a crime merits and will receive the severest punishment authorized by law." Therefore I don't think that it is a coincident that the date Captain Gibbs captured the flag coincides with the date of his discharge. It may be assumed that Captain Gibbs knew of the flag and on the day of his discharge he dropped in and "commandeered" the flag to take home as a souvenir. The regiment itself served in Nashville from June 20, 1862 to July 31, 1862 before moving off to somewhere else. Included with the flag was a picture of Captain Gibbs in later years and no doubt at a reunion with his comrades. Also included is a letter from a family member written some years ago providing the history of the flag. The writer states that the flag was displayed in the Newcom tavern and laments the fact that the flag is in poor shape as a direct result of souvenir hunters helping themselves to pieces of it. The Newcom tavern still stands today and is the oldest building in Dayton and in much the same condition as it was originally. The flag measure 4' x 7' and other than the ravages of drunken bar patrons is not in bad shape for 150 year old flag. The white sections as can be seen in the picture have seen the most deterioration and has the most loss. From the information. This is the second known First National Flag flag taken by a Union unit from a Nashville store. The Museum of the Confederacy has the other example, the "Wilson Invincibles". I was hoping to identify this flag to a unit but a number of units were raised in Nashville and Davidson County. There was one big flag maker in town by the name of John Luck who made flags for units of the Middle TN region. A lot of units passed through Nashville on the way to Fort Donelson or Bowling Green, KY. and then back through Nashville when Bowling Green was evacuated in February 1862. Nashville fell to the Union on February 25th, 1862 and they held it for the rest of the war. I SOLD THIS ITEM AT THE POULIN AUCTION NOVEMBER 6/22
(Reference: Actual flag featured on page 118 with details on pages 400 & 401 of above Stephen Cox book)
CAPTURED CONFEDERATE WOOD DRUM CANTEEN
Confederate wood drum canteens where prized by the Union soldiers as souvenirs as evidenced by the following excerpt from A. F.Sperry's history of the 33rd Iowa published in 1866. "Near this part of the line had been a rebel camp, evidently hastily abandoned. Numerous relics were obtained here; and many were the cedar canteens which our boys afterward carried as mementoes of Mobile. " - Principal Musician Andrew F. Sperry - 33rd Iowa Volunteer Regiment - In the Confederate Defenses of Mobile, Alabama, - April 12th, 1865.
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EARLY HORSE SOLDIER CATALOG WITH CANTEEN ON COVER
Millions of canteens were manufactured during the war and most soldiers would go through several during their service. The most widely used Confederate canteens were made of wood because any cooperage could easily convert from the manufacture of barrel making to wooden canteens using similar skills. This canteen has a period label pasted to the side of the canteen and reads in ink, "Canteen captured at the battle of Missionary Ridge by Maj. A.S. McBride. He took it through prison with him & brought it home at close of war."
"Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Gen. Braxton Bragg."
"At the battle of Missionary Ridge, the 6th Florida Regiment and the 1st and 3rd Regiments were in the main Confederate line of battle on the crest of the Ridge; while the 7th Regiment and the 4th Regiment and the 1st Florida Cavalry Dismounted, were on the picket line in the valley under orders on the advance of the Federal forces to fall back to the entrenchments at the foot of the Ridge; this they executed and they were driven out of
the entrenchments by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy and a large portion were captured in ascending the steep
acclivities of the Ridge".
This canteen retains a good portion of the original linen sling. Carved into the canteen on the same side as the label is "JT", and on the reverse is "JP". Most surviving wood canteens have initials scratched on them. This is due to the fact that generally one soldier was assigned to carry as many canteens as he could to refill while the rest of the soldiers remained on the battle line. Upon the return of the freshly filled canteens the soldier needed to identify his own. The original research by The Horse Soldier had not produced a definitive identification of McBride because of one outstanding discrepancy. Their research found Albert S. McBride's records shows that he enlisted on 1/11/62 as a Corporal and served in Co. C, 6th Florida Infantry. Reduced to ranks (private) on 8/23/63. He was taken prisoner at Missionary Ridge on 11/25/63, and was confined at Rock Island, Illinois, later released & signing an Oath of Allegiance on 6/17/65. Research showed he was only 16 when he enlisted and shown as a corporal. The Horse Soldier stated, at the time of their research "If this canteen was picked up by him he or the individual who wrote the label may have embellished his military service. Needs further research." (Mystery solved below).
"Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Gen. Braxton Bragg."
"At the battle of Missionary Ridge, the 6th Florida Regiment and the 1st and 3rd Regiments were in the main Confederate line of battle on the crest of the Ridge; while the 7th Regiment and the 4th Regiment and the 1st Florida Cavalry Dismounted, were on the picket line in the valley under orders on the advance of the Federal forces to fall back to the entrenchments at the foot of the Ridge; this they executed and they were driven out of
the entrenchments by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy and a large portion were captured in ascending the steep
acclivities of the Ridge".
This canteen retains a good portion of the original linen sling. Carved into the canteen on the same side as the label is "JT", and on the reverse is "JP". Most surviving wood canteens have initials scratched on them. This is due to the fact that generally one soldier was assigned to carry as many canteens as he could to refill while the rest of the soldiers remained on the battle line. Upon the return of the freshly filled canteens the soldier needed to identify his own. The original research by The Horse Soldier had not produced a definitive identification of McBride because of one outstanding discrepancy. Their research found Albert S. McBride's records shows that he enlisted on 1/11/62 as a Corporal and served in Co. C, 6th Florida Infantry. Reduced to ranks (private) on 8/23/63. He was taken prisoner at Missionary Ridge on 11/25/63, and was confined at Rock Island, Illinois, later released & signing an Oath of Allegiance on 6/17/65. Research showed he was only 16 when he enlisted and shown as a corporal. The Horse Soldier stated, at the time of their research "If this canteen was picked up by him he or the individual who wrote the label may have embellished his military service. Needs further research." (Mystery solved below).
ALBERT McBRIDE
"MAJOR" ALBERT McBRIDE
This research extracted from the Museum of Florida website solves the mystery as to why Albert McBride was identified as a Major on the canteen label. The museum's historical observations are as follows; "Albert McBride served as a corporal in the 6th Florida Infantry and was captured at the Battle of Missionary Ridge, Tennessee. After the war, he lived in Georgia. He is shown here wearing a postwar United Confederate Veterans' uniform with a collar star designating the rank of an "honorary major". A "Southern Cross of Honor" badge is pinned to his lapel. (Florida State Archives). So, the individual that put the label on the canteen was recognizing private McBride's honorary rank and not his official rank.
Within the United Confederate Veterans and beyond it was a common term of endearment to many of the aging veterans to be nicknamed or addressed as Captain or Colonel or Major regardless of what rank they held during the war. Val Giles captures this best in his memoirs "Rags and Hope, the Memoirs of Val C. Giles, Four Years with Hood's Brigade, Fourth Texas Infantry, 1861-1865".
It is over, and we are all officers now!
It’s General That and Colonel This
And Captain So and So.
There’s not a private in the list
No matter where you go.
The men who fought the battles then,
Who burned the powder and lead,
And lived on hardtack made of beans
Are promoted now—or dead.
(Reference; "Collecting The Confederacy" by Shannon Pritchard, page 55; "The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics" by Stephen W. Sylvia & J. O'Donnell, page 40, 51; " Civil War Canteens" by Stephen W.Sylvia and Michael J. O'Donnell, pages 12-45; "Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy" by Time-Life Books, page 209; "Confederate Arms" by William A. Albaugh lll and Edward N. Simmons, page 181-183; "The Civil War Canteen" by Robert Jones, page 19, 45)
CONFEDERATE INFANTRY ACCOUTREMENTS
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THE SINGLE TIN IS DISTINCTIVELY CONFEDERATE SINGLE TIN EXAMPLE IN THE O'DONNELL BOOK
These accoutrements came out of an old collection from Florida. When the group came to auction it consisted of a Confederate cartridge box, a confederate jean cloth haversack and a belt with an early U.S. buckle and Confederate cap box. Once I had purchased the set I sold the haversack to another collector. The collector who purchased the haversack was non other than Mr. Michael Kramer who's collection was used extensively in Shannon Pritchard's book, "Collecting the Confederacy". Mr. Kramer was kind enough to write a letter congratulating me on the purchase of the group and commenting on the importance of this rig observing that it was what a typical Southern infantryman would have worn into battle. He further states that "It's importance in one's collection cannot be overstated". The grouping is in rough, dry and "used hard" condition and has clearly been together since the soldier wore them home from the war. I like the fact that there are old spots of white paint on each of the group indicating how little monetary value the old veterans and their families put on these "bring homes". These accoutrements were obviously thrown somewhere out of sight and subjected to years of neglect. This, in my opinion, adds to the character of the collection. I am always concerned when I am offered an artifact, especially a Confederate item, that looks like it was pulled off the assembly line yesterday. The cartridge box has the russet color, lead finial and the single four compartment bullet tin (there is a nice example of the single tin in Mike O' Donnell's "Gettysburg Battlefield Relics and Souvenirs" on page 227) making it uniquely Confederate. The belt and buckle scream Confederate re-engineering with multiple alterations to the leather and the pre-war U.S. puppy paw belt plate so often used by the C.S. infantry, sometimes seen in the upside down position (some romantics say to read Southern Nation).This buckle with the round cast studs (plate 486 in O'Donnell's belt plate book) is much rarer than the arrow hook buckles, and also scarcer than the "oval" puppy paw. The buckle is the regulation 1839 pattern ca. 1847-1857 and could have been issued during the Mexican-American War. The buckle has a deep, deep dark patina befitting the character of the rest of the set. On the belt is a CS cap box with the lead finial and single belt loop and with enough design similarities to the cartridge box to convince me that they were manufactured and issued together. A single glance shows that these accoutrements have been together since the war, were used and used hard and are loaded with character. Fortunately, no one has put an oil based preservative on the box, leaving it in its stiff but natural russet state. I have purchased the oil treatment most recommended by the collectors who know about these matters but can't bring myself to apply it to this leather out of fear that the classic CS color would be lost forever. The belt remains very pliable.
(Reference: (Accouterments) "Collecting The Confederacy" by Shannon Pritchard, page ; "The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics" by Stephen W. Sylvia & J. O'Donnell, page 212,26,43; "Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy" by Time-Life Books, page 185,192,193,197,198)
(Reference: (Buckle) "American Military Belt Buckle" by Michael J. O'Connell and J. Duncan Campbell, plate 486; "Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874" by Sydney C. Kerksis, pages , "Accoutrement Plates North and South 1861-1865" by William G. Gavin, page 15; "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 212)
CONFEDERATE TIN DRUM CANTEEN
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Confederate tin drum canteen from the collection of William Gavin. The canteen is not as glamorous as a knife or a buckle but ask any soldier and they are likely to chose to keep their canteen before any other accoutrement. This non-dug canteen is in good condition with just some light surface rust. One side is smooth and flat. The other side is convex and has dents from usage. All three sling keepers are present. The spout is present but the area around its base is slightly bent. Cork stopper is inside the canteen. No sign of any holes or seam splits. You can clearly see the early rolling process which created a uniform thickness on a series of small iron rods. This process created an alternating light and dark lined pattern in the tin. All original canteens with the flat back and convex face are considered to be Confederate issue and is typical of CS made canteens in size, form and manufacturing traits. It measures 6" in diameter and 1 5/8 " wide with crude soldering and three small belt-loops of thin tin bands.Variations of tin drum canteens were manufactured before during and after the war. It's impossible to identify most as Confederate with two exceptions; the first is the tin drum canteen that has the CS impressed into its face. The second is this style of manufacture having the flat back and the convex front. The only period in which the flat back and convex front canteen was produced was during the Civil War and they were only produced by the Confederacy. The item is from the collection of the late William G. "Bill" Gavin (1924-2010), who was one of the nation's most prominent and esteemed Civil War relic collectors. On the side of the canteen is Mr. Gavin's tape label with "85" written on it. Following graduation from West Point (Class of 1946), Gavin became a pioneer in applying WW ll mine-detector technology to relic hunting. Along the way, he became an avid historian whose collection, with its origins dating back to the 1930's, was enhanced by his acute knowledge of battlefield troop movements. His service to his country included six years in the U.S. Army, followed by a seven year period in which he was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.
(Reference; Collecting The Confederacy by Shannon Pritchard, page 67; Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy by Time Life, page 210; Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, Francis A. Lord, page 43; :"The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics" by Stephen W. Sylvia & J. O'Donnell, page 193, 264; " Civil War Canteens" by Stephen W.Sylvia and Michael J. O'Donnell, pages 48-98; "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 167; "Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy" by Time-Life Books, page 210-211; "Confederate Arms" by William A. Albaugh lll and Edward N. Simmons, page 184; "Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia", Volume III, Francis A. Lord, page 43; "The Civil War Canteen" by Robert Jones, page 21, 25, 31, 53; "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War 1861-1865" by Stanley S. Phillips, page 68)
(Reference; Collecting The Confederacy by Shannon Pritchard, page 67; Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy by Time Life, page 210; Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, Francis A. Lord, page 43; :"The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics" by Stephen W. Sylvia & J. O'Donnell, page 193, 264; " Civil War Canteens" by Stephen W.Sylvia and Michael J. O'Donnell, pages 48-98; "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 167; "Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy" by Time-Life Books, page 210-211; "Confederate Arms" by William A. Albaugh lll and Edward N. Simmons, page 184; "Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia", Volume III, Francis A. Lord, page 43; "The Civil War Canteen" by Robert Jones, page 21, 25, 31, 53; "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War 1861-1865" by Stanley S. Phillips, page 68)
BULLS EYE CANTEEN
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During the Civil war millions of canteens were manufactured and most soldiers would go through several by war's end. This is an original Civil War Union Army Model 1858 bullseye (corrugated) canteen from the Philadelphia Depot. This canteen appealed to me because, unlike other samples, the Gratz was definitely issued and used during the war. The spout is maker marked: "R.H. Gratz & Co." Robert Gratz made more than 110,000 smooth-sided canteens in 1861 as a partner with Theophilas Code and William Hopper. After the firm dissolved on March 31, 1862, he contracted under his own name as R.H. Gratz & Company with a new partner, William C. Stiles, Jr. His contract dated July 15,1862 for 5,000 containers at 17 cents was the first to specify "corrugated." Another 26,666 of his distinctive five ring canteens were ordered on July 18 at 18 1/2 cents each. The next Gratz contract on August 11 for 18,333 at 21 cents each was one of the first requiring the maker's name on the spouts. Contracts on August 23 for 8,000 and August 31 for 30,000 - all at 21 cents each. His last contract in this two month production 'surge' was dated 9/15/1862 for 30,000 at 22 cents. All were five ring containers delivered bare to the Philadelphia Depot. a final Gratz contract was dated 7/06/1863 for 3,950 at 21 3/4 cents a piece. He subcontracted canteens to others including the 15,000 furnished by C. Burnham in October, 1862. Philadelphia used doubled cords or "canteen twine" to tie each of the stoppers to the upper strap loop unlike New York's use of the more reliable iron chains. Not surprisingly the original twine which was issued with this canteen disappeared during its time of use. It was replaceD by a section of a canteen sling which served its purpose nicely.
(References: U.S. Army & Militaria Canteens 1775-1910 by Mike O'Donnell, pages 101, 102,106, 119, 120, 140, 136, 121, 211, 283; The Civil War Canteen by Robert Jones, Civil War Canteens by Stephen W. Sylvia and Michael J. O'Donnell)
(References: U.S. Army & Militaria Canteens 1775-1910 by Mike O'Donnell, pages 101, 102,106, 119, 120, 140, 136, 121, 211, 283; The Civil War Canteen by Robert Jones, Civil War Canteens by Stephen W. Sylvia and Michael J. O'Donnell)
HOLSTER FOR ARMY COLT
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Holster for an 1860 .44 Caliber Army Colt with a barely legible maker's mark of Joseph Davy, Newark, NJ. Made of black leather with standard measurements. This is the earlier and rarer model made to fit the colt only. Unlike the later productions which would also take a Remington army. Leather is lightly cracked but is solid with good stitching throughout. Finial and reverse rivets are good , as is the reverse belt loop and bottom muzzle plug. Finial strap is moderately fragile. Else very good plus. There is just enough wear to exude character with a used but not abused condition.
Holsters of early civil war manufacture (1861-1863) were form fitted to the revolvers for which they were made and did not readily accept revolvers of another pattern. At some point between 1861 and 1863 the design of the holster body underwent a change from the form fitted style to a shape with a broader body which would accommodate a number of different revolvers of similar type. the holsters were still not completely interchangeable with all revolvers, however, and Remington revolvers were found not to fit in some which would accommodate the colt. in 1863 the design of the pistol holster was changed again. The body was a more general shape which would fit both the colt revolvers as well as others of the same configuration, thus making its issue more universal. At about the same time, a reinforcing rivet was added to the closing strap for greater strength and the stitching pattern holding the strap was changed from straight to semi-circular which was also thought to be more durable.....so the sequence of events in the change was from straight stitch, unenforced, to straight stitch, reinforced and then to semi-circular stitch, with rivet reinforcement.
(Reference:U. S. Military Holsters and Pistol Cartridge Boxes by Edword S. Meadows, pages 44- 60 "Arms and Equipment of the Union" by Time-Life Books, page 201, 205; Warman's Civil War Collectibles by John F. Graf page 41 (Another sample if star carved in the flap of the holster )
Holsters of early civil war manufacture (1861-1863) were form fitted to the revolvers for which they were made and did not readily accept revolvers of another pattern. At some point between 1861 and 1863 the design of the holster body underwent a change from the form fitted style to a shape with a broader body which would accommodate a number of different revolvers of similar type. the holsters were still not completely interchangeable with all revolvers, however, and Remington revolvers were found not to fit in some which would accommodate the colt. in 1863 the design of the pistol holster was changed again. The body was a more general shape which would fit both the colt revolvers as well as others of the same configuration, thus making its issue more universal. At about the same time, a reinforcing rivet was added to the closing strap for greater strength and the stitching pattern holding the strap was changed from straight to semi-circular which was also thought to be more durable.....so the sequence of events in the change was from straight stitch, unenforced, to straight stitch, reinforced and then to semi-circular stitch, with rivet reinforcement.
(Reference:U. S. Military Holsters and Pistol Cartridge Boxes by Edword S. Meadows, pages 44- 60 "Arms and Equipment of the Union" by Time-Life Books, page 201, 205; Warman's Civil War Collectibles by John F. Graf page 41 (Another sample if star carved in the flap of the holster )
CLASSIC CONFEDERATE HOLSTER
Extremely rare, hand-stitched, brown-black leather Confederate holster for a .44 cal. 1860 Colt Army Revolver. The holster has the single stitch and the highly sought after C.S. lead finial. The holster has all of the earmarks you look for in a Confederate holster and is in very good condition for its age and the amount of use it would have undergone. I can't determine who made it but there have seen similar holsters displayed by collectors. This came out of a Grundy County TN family. As would be expected the plug is missing as is the finial strap but otherwise a fantastic example of a classic Confederate holster that saw use.
HOLSTER THAT HELD A GRISWOLD REVOLVER
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CONFEDERATE HOLSTER MANUFACTURED IN RICHMOND
BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE THAT SOLD AT AUCTION WITH ITS ORIGINAL LEECH AND RIGDON REVOLVER
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ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF RICHMOND HOLSTER WITH ITS LEECH AND RIIGDON REVOLVER
WAR LOG WITH BULLETS AND CANNISTER SHOT
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BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA-LITHOGRAPH BY KURTZ AND ALLION
This is an interesting war log from the Chickamauga Campaign..When the previous owner shook the loose wood decay out of the middle of the log an iron canister shot about 1 1/2" in diameter began to roll around inside the log. It can be clearly seen peeking through one of the cracks in the wood, As it cannot be extracted without breaking the wood it is clear that the branch grew around the shot. Also embedded in the wood are two bullets each fired from different directions. The bullets are not exposed enough to determine the origins but if was a betting man I would say that one bullet is a U.S. three ringer and the other a C.S. Gardner. The original length of the log was 39 ' long and about 4 1/2" wide until good old UPS ignored the fragile stickers and snapped about 8" off the end. The relic survived a war and 150 years in the wilderness but couldn't withstand a week in the hands of UPS. To prevent further damage i reluctantly put many layers of clear lacquer on the wood. I actually quite like the final result. This artifact was clearly in the middle of some heavy action in the Chickamauga battle.
(Reference: "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 36, 195; "The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics" byStephen W. Sylvia & J. O'Donnell, pages 152-154; "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War 1861-1865" by Stanley S. Phillips, page 190).Battle of Chickamauga (lithograph by Kurz and Allison
(Reference: "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 36, 195; "The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics" byStephen W. Sylvia & J. O'Donnell, pages 152-154; "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War 1861-1865" by Stanley S. Phillips, page 190).Battle of Chickamauga (lithograph by Kurz and Allison
CIVIL WAR CARTRIDGE BOX, SLING AND PLATES
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FILLING CARTRIDGES AT THE WATERTOWN ARSENAL
This Civil War leather accoutrement is an original, Federal Pattern 1861 rifle-musket cartridge box issued to the Yankee infantryman and used to hold forty 58 caliber paper cartridges along with cleaning implements and tools in the implement pouch. The box is the early war pattern utilizing only a straight line stitching on the closing tab on the flap. What makes this one special is that it is accompanied by the original leather shoulder sling strap and eagle breast plate. These are almost always missing in action. The stamped "Watertown Arsenal 1863" stands out nice and clear. The large outer flap has its original, oval, brass box plate and the shoulder sling exhibits a very fine regulation 1826 pattern circular brass eagle breastplate. These fine condition plates have acquired a very pleasing, dusky bronze patina and are secured on the inside of the flaps with leather thongs on the plate loops. The leather shoulder sling and billets are intact and complete and in supple condition. The rear loops on the back of the box as well as the roller buckles and brass finial are in excellent condition.The closure tab is present and complete and goes around the finial well. It still has both of the original tins in fine condition. You can actually see where the cartridges rested on the bottom of the tins.Stitching is excellent ( save for separation on one side of the inner pocket). This complete, maker-marked Model 1861 cartridge box with its leather sling accoutrement is a fine, seldom-seen today specimen of the Civil War.
(Reference: " Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman" by Paul D. Johnson; "The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics" by Stephen W. Sylvia & J. O'Donnell, page 209; "Arms and Equipment of the Union" by Time-Life Books, page 202, 203)
FLAG REMNANT FROM THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL IN RICHMOND
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RICHMOND BURNS (CAPITAL BUILDING WAS SPARED)
Piece of Confederate National flag, removed from the Confederate capital in Richmond on April 4th, 1865 by John O. Foster. Mr. Foster was a Methodist minister attached to the 24th Army Corps and is said to have preached the first sermon following the fall of Richmond. Foster landed at City Point on April 2nd, 1865 at 2 P.M. and upon his arrival helped tend to the wounded from both sides that had arrived by train nearby. Foster also had the opportunity to watch the bombardment of Petersburg. That evening Foster watched Richmond burn and was later given a pass to enter the city. On April 3rd or 4th, Foster undoubtedly the first Union chaplain in the city, was given a section of the enormous Confederate flag that flew over the Confederate State House. On April 5th, his diary states he visited the Confederate Treasury. He noted: "Promises to pay [bonds] in ton lots--to help yourself--did so." Foster obtained as many varieties of bonds and Confederate money as he could and glued the sections of the Confederate flag he obtained on to them. A label was later affixed to one section stating: "Confederate money valuable as curios, pieces of flag floating over Capital at Richmond on day of capitulation." Foster then preached under guard at the Presbyterian Church to an audience composed of mostly liberated slaves. This flag remnant is from the flag taken from the Confederate Capital with the edge turned to show a portion of a Confederate bond or banknote Foster removed from the Treasury and glued thereon. The photo above shows the missing flag on the Capital as well as the new "Stars and Stripes" floating in the breeze nearby. Provenance documents accompany the framed display.
FLAG REMNANT ID'D TO THE 173rd REGIMENT NEW YORK VOL. INFANTRY
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This is a remnant of a small silk star taken from an original US Civil War flag. Once part of the flag carried by the color-bearer in the 173rd New York Infantry regiment, this cloth specimen was given to William Branwhite of Company "K", 173rd New York by the regimental color bearer himself. Amazingly William Branwhite was just a fourteen-year-old boy when he joined the army on September 5, 1862 at Brooklyn, NY. He mustered into Co K, 173rd New York on November 11 of that year and served with the unit until he mustered out in Savannah, GA on October 18, 1865. The paper tag that accompanies the silk star measures 4 1/2" long x 3 1/3" high and exhibits a fantastic handwritten note by Branwhite himself in black ink that reads "Direct your letters to William/Branwhite Co K 173 rgt. NYV 3rd brigade/ 1st division 19th Corps Washington D.C. or / elsewhere / I asked the Color bearer yesterday if he wouldn't give me a star out of flag and he said no but I coaxed him to let me have one and he give me one and it is enclosed". The cut out silk star retains its gold paint plus adjacent strands of the deep blue silk flag body. The entire piece measures approximately 2" long by 1" across at the widest point. Further research indicated that Branwhite enlisted at the age of 14 as a drummer. He lived until 1914 and is buried at Fernwood Pennsylvania Cemetery along with his wife Abigail, brother Robert and mother Susan. A great project for further research.
Fantastic update! I was recently contacted by a descendent of William. Her extensive research has turned up an amazing amount of information on his history and I include a small part of her work. William was one of 7 sons. He enlisted in 1862 when he was actually thirteen years old and served through the entire war. In later life he was a “gold beater”, married Abigail Russell and had two daughters. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. I was provided two images of William and a newspaper clipping that really brought life to the history. The first photo was taken September or October 1862 and the second approximately 1900.
Fantastic update! I was recently contacted by a descendent of William. Her extensive research has turned up an amazing amount of information on his history and I include a small part of her work. William was one of 7 sons. He enlisted in 1862 when he was actually thirteen years old and served through the entire war. In later life he was a “gold beater”, married Abigail Russell and had two daughters. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. I was provided two images of William and a newspaper clipping that really brought life to the history. The first photo was taken September or October 1862 and the second approximately 1900.
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One Hundred and Seventy-third Infantry.—Cols., Charles B. Morton, Lewis M. Peck; Lieut.-Cols., Lewis M. Peck, William N. Green, Jr., Mellen T. Holbrook; Majs., A. Power Galloway, George W. Rogers. This regiment, known as the 4th Metropolitan Guard, and 4th National Guard, was recruited in the cities of New York and Brooklyn by the police departments of those cities, as one of the Metropolitan brigade. It was organized at Riker's island and there mustered into the U. S. service for three years on Nov. JO, 1862. On leaving the state, Dec. 9, the regiment sailed for Louisiana, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade of Emory's (3d) division, 19th corps. It came under fire for the first time at Fort Bisland, losing 7 killed and wounded, and a detachment under Capt. Conrady skirmished at Breaux bridge, Bayou Teche. The regiment took an active part in the siege of Port Hudson, where its total loss was 92 killed and wounded. Among the mortally wounded in the second assault on June 14, was Maj. Galloway. It was engaged at Carrion Crow bayou in Nov., 1863, and the following spring, in the 3d brigade of Emory's division, 19th corps, it took part in Banks' Red River campaign, being engaged in the fights at Sabine cross-roads, Pleasant Hill and Mansura, its loss in the first two battles being 232 killed, wounded and missing. Lieut.-Col. Green was killed at Pleasant Hill. Though the regiment was not again engaged in battle after the close of this campaign, it continued in active service. In July, 1864, it accompanied the 1st and 2nd divisions to Virginia and became a part of Sheridan's Army in the Shenandoah. It was on detached service with Currie's brigade at Harper's Ferry during the battle of Winchester, and at the time of the battle of Cedar creek was guarding wagon trains and was not engaged in the fight. The regiment remained with Dwight's (1st) division in the valley until April, 1865, and then moved to Washington for a number of weeks. The war was now over, and after taking part in the grand review it was ordered to Savannah, and was there mustered out under Col. Peck, Oct. 18, 1865. The regiment lost during service in killed and mortally wounded, 6 officers and 45 enlisted men; died of disease and other causes, 2 officers and 126 enlisted men, a total of 179.
(Reference: "Arms and Equipment of the Union" by Time-Life Books, page 246-293)
One Hundred and Seventy-third Infantry.—Cols., Charles B. Morton, Lewis M. Peck; Lieut.-Cols., Lewis M. Peck, William N. Green, Jr., Mellen T. Holbrook; Majs., A. Power Galloway, George W. Rogers. This regiment, known as the 4th Metropolitan Guard, and 4th National Guard, was recruited in the cities of New York and Brooklyn by the police departments of those cities, as one of the Metropolitan brigade. It was organized at Riker's island and there mustered into the U. S. service for three years on Nov. JO, 1862. On leaving the state, Dec. 9, the regiment sailed for Louisiana, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade of Emory's (3d) division, 19th corps. It came under fire for the first time at Fort Bisland, losing 7 killed and wounded, and a detachment under Capt. Conrady skirmished at Breaux bridge, Bayou Teche. The regiment took an active part in the siege of Port Hudson, where its total loss was 92 killed and wounded. Among the mortally wounded in the second assault on June 14, was Maj. Galloway. It was engaged at Carrion Crow bayou in Nov., 1863, and the following spring, in the 3d brigade of Emory's division, 19th corps, it took part in Banks' Red River campaign, being engaged in the fights at Sabine cross-roads, Pleasant Hill and Mansura, its loss in the first two battles being 232 killed, wounded and missing. Lieut.-Col. Green was killed at Pleasant Hill. Though the regiment was not again engaged in battle after the close of this campaign, it continued in active service. In July, 1864, it accompanied the 1st and 2nd divisions to Virginia and became a part of Sheridan's Army in the Shenandoah. It was on detached service with Currie's brigade at Harper's Ferry during the battle of Winchester, and at the time of the battle of Cedar creek was guarding wagon trains and was not engaged in the fight. The regiment remained with Dwight's (1st) division in the valley until April, 1865, and then moved to Washington for a number of weeks. The war was now over, and after taking part in the grand review it was ordered to Savannah, and was there mustered out under Col. Peck, Oct. 18, 1865. The regiment lost during service in killed and mortally wounded, 6 officers and 45 enlisted men; died of disease and other causes, 2 officers and 126 enlisted men, a total of 179.
(Reference: "Arms and Equipment of the Union" by Time-Life Books, page 246-293)
AMERICAN HISTORIC SOVIETY NOTE, COIN, STAMP
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American Historic Society Confederate Stamps and Currency Collection with a folding display and Certificate of Authenticity. Really nice "1863" dated Indian Head Nickel and the two Jefferson Davis stamps are very nice. The Confederate $10.00 note has horses pulling a cannon and everything is in nice shape. Very nice display and although I'm sure others are out there I don't recall ever seeing another one.
TINTYPE OF UNION SOLDIER
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American sixth plate daguerreotype in typical housing -- case, brass "protector", cover glass, brass mat, and paper seal (not visible). This example is of a Union soldier wearing an infantry frock coat and forage cap. He has the belt, buckle, cartridge box, bayonet and cartridge sling with buckle. The case split but all else is in nice condition for a 160 year old photograph.The "plate sizes" used in referring to 19th-century daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, and other photographs stem originally from the daguerreotype, for which the first plates manufactured were approximately 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5 x 21.5 cm) in size. Smaller size daguerreotypes were then defined in terms of how many plates of the smaller size could be cut from a "full" or "whole" plate. These plate sizes became standardized and were subsequently used for the photographic formats which followed on the daguerreotype. Plate sizes are still the standard method for referring to the dimensions of these 19th century images. An image's plate size refers to the size of the complete image plate, including portions which may be covered by its mount, and not just the visible portion. In general, for an image housed in an American-style case, the dimensions of the brass mat and "protector" will be approximately equal to those of the plate and can be used to determine plate size.
19th-Century Image Plate Sizes - Whole Plate: 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5 x 21.5 cm); Half Plate: 4.25 x 5.5 inches (11 x 14 cm); Quarter Plate: 3.25 x 4.25 inches (8 x 11 cm); Sixth Plate: 2.75 x 3.25 inches (7 x 8 cm); Ninth Plate: 2 x 2.5 inches (5 x 6 cm); Sixteenth Plate:1.375 x 1.625 inches (3.5 x 4 cm)
19th-Century Image Plate Sizes - Whole Plate: 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5 x 21.5 cm); Half Plate: 4.25 x 5.5 inches (11 x 14 cm); Quarter Plate: 3.25 x 4.25 inches (8 x 11 cm); Sixth Plate: 2.75 x 3.25 inches (7 x 8 cm); Ninth Plate: 2 x 2.5 inches (5 x 6 cm); Sixteenth Plate:1.375 x 1.625 inches (3.5 x 4 cm)
BULLET IN WOOD
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These bullets in wood are fascinating relics and any one's guess as to what story they could tell. This one came from Larry Hicklen and he stated that the wood is "heart wood pine" and is was recovered from the battle of Chickamauga. I can't tell if the bullet is U.S. or C.S.
(Reference: "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 36)
(Reference: "Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns" by Charles S. Harris, page 36)