Captain of Infantry Shoulder Strap (1)
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A well preserved example of infantry captain strap from the INdian Wars Period. The bars are silver rather than gold colored during the Civil War. On the back is maker's name "Jacob Reeds Sons, Phila."
1964 Gettyburg Tourist Flag
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A pennant flag sold to tourists visiting Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1964. It shows the Gettysburg National Museum and bears the motto "Gettysburg, PA". It is 12" long. Crowds at battlefields were large for the Civil War Centenial period of the Nineteen Sixties.
1924 Certificate United Daughters of the Confederacy
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After the war, children of Veterans in both the North & South created formal organizations to protect their heritage and honor their Veteran parents. This is a very interesting and attractive certificate of membership to Oklahoma chapter of the "United Daughters of the Confederacy", presented to Leinda Ann Ridasch, granddaughter of
Mississippi sharpshooter, William Nichols.
Stereocard of Blacks picking Cotton
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Picking cotton before the Civil War as an unpaid slave... and... picking cotton after the war as "freed" paid citizens. The definitions changed but the treatment and attitudes remained much the same until the Civil Rights Movement of the Nineteen Sixties eventually brought new enlightenment to the minds of future generations as far as equality and real brotherhood. This is a Stereocard by "Strohmeyer & Wyman Publishers, NY" from about 1900. "Cotton is King, Plantation Scene, Georgia, USA"
79th Division Bullion Shoulder Patch
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Worn by the Dough Boys on their shoulders during World War I. A silver bullion Cross of Lorraine on navy blue silk. 3" x 2 3/4". Very Nice!
Spanish American War Medical Cap Insignia andcollar insignia Set.
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Crosses were NOT used during the Civil War, but rather the initials "M.S" for Medical Staff. But by the time of the Spanish American War in the late 1800's, the Maltese cross was being adapted for Medical Staff. This set of three insignia is for a Medical Officer during the Span-Am. War. All three pieces are screw backs, with
accessory stick pins to keep them from rotating. A kepi badge and two collar insignia.
Two Military Tickets: Military Dance & Brass Band Trip
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Two post Civil War tickets on thin cardboard stock. 1)Military Dance to benefit Co.C. of Mass(achusetts) State Guard (held New Years Eve); and 2)Camden Brass Band Excursion ticket.
Postcard of Lincoln Giving Gettysburg Address.
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A nice, circa 1905-10, postcard with a dramatic image of Abraham Lincoln
giving Gettysburg address amidst gravestones. In fact, in the fall of 1863, Lincoln and thousands of patriotic spectators arrived to dedicate the National Cemetery for troops killed in the July battle there. While other speakers talked on & on for an hour or more, Lincoln's quick Gettysburg Address became an instant sensation of focused, concise powerful feelings about honor and liberty. He scribbled it quickly on the train ride to Gettysburg and did not think people would necessarily like it!
Postcard of : Topographical View of Gettysburg by Army Engineers; c. 1900
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Nice condition postcard of Gettysburg as seen from air
"topographically", including all major roads; circa 1900-1910. By Tipton. Card is UNUSED.
Postwar StereoCard of Black Children with Melon
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Sadly, even after Emancipation of the Slaves in 1863 and Union victory in the Civil War (1861-65) a huge amount of racial prejudice survived for generation afterward in sections of the South. Rather than slaves, blacks were cast in the light of children or vaudevillian type clowns. They were given "rights" which were forced by the vistoriuos North, but they were not given true equality and respect till the start of the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960's... This stereocard is from the 1890 to 1920 era.
WW2 Patriotic Cover:
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For World War II, the Patriotic Cover envelope of the Civil War had nearly disappeared into oblivion. More typically, the enemy nations were mocked in magazines, newspapers, posters, pins and movie reels. But postmarks and cards with logos were occasionally still seen. This one says "A Nations Pride: Cruisers". Bearing a three cent "Win the War" stamp.
WW2 Patriotic Cover: Free France Fights On
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Patriotic Covers were not as common after the Civil War, but still did occur: Here we see a nice World War II (1939-1945) United States patriotic cover sent in 1943: "Free France Fights On"
and "United: to stamp out the axis". Bears a three cent "Win the War" stamp.
Patriotic WWI Lithograph Honoring Black Troops
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Not until World War II were black troops used extensively in the American military. Of course their were exceptions during the Civil War, as exemplified by the 54th Massachusetts in the movie "Glory!". Black troops were incorporated into fighting units mostly near the latter years of the war. They were sometimes treated harshly by the enemy, such as the bayonet massacre at Fort Pillow. During the Indian Wars, the Buffalo soldiers were a tough lot who fought the Native American war parties. During World War I, the "special treatment" of black soldiers still continued. One unit, the 371st, actually trained in South Carolina. But they were assigned like all the other Negro units, to the French Army. That unit was not allowed to march under the Stars and Stripes, but were required to use the French flag. As a result they "modified" the French flag. They added a small American flag and a red hand to the flag.
In this particular lithograph, we see Henry Johnson and a fellow soldier, Needham Roberts, who were on sentry duty when they came under attack one night in May 1918 by a 20-man German raiding party. Johnson drew his bolo knife from his belt and fought off the Germans. Despite suffering three grenade and shotgun wounds, he went to the aid of Roberts who was being taken prisoner by the enemy.
Johnson received the Croix de Guerre, one of France's highest honors, but he was never recognized by his own country because of the color of his skin. He didn't even receive the Purple Heart until 1997, despite being wounded 21 times in 1918.
The chromolithograph is from 1918 by E.G.Renesch, Chicago.
Original Oak and Canvas WW1 Field Stretcher
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This is a spectacular piece of medical/rench history! It is
a field stretcher, which when pivoted open, sits on metal
footings. Two long solid oak rails with sturdy canvas tacked to sides. In great shape!!! About seven feet long and heavy!!! Great!!!
Jan. 6th, 1961 Life Magazine Civil War Centennial Issue
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A copy of Life Magazine from January 6th, 1961, kicking off the 100-Year Centennial remembrances of the Civil War. Shows a cool cavalry battle on its cover.
1931 Tile Plaque for Des Moine GAR Encampment: Student Designed.
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This is a 9" x 6" mold-poured plaster plaque depicting GAR soldiers on parade, which according to the paper label on back, was designed and presented to vets by Des Moine public school students for the 1931 National Encampment in Des Moines. It demonstrates how grandchildren and great-grandchildren were still honoring the battle sacrifices of their forefathers, even during the Great American Depression and as the threat of a horrific World War II began to loom in Europe.
10th Corps badge: Identified to a Gettysburg Soldier
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This is a 10th Corps badge with a central red velvet field for the 1st Division. To boost morale in the Union army after early defeats, Ceneral Joseph Hooker conceived of corps badges to give the troops a feeling of fraternal unity. The corps badges were varied in shape. The three divisions within each corp were then given colors, like the US Flag: Red for 1st Division, White for Second, and Blue for Third. Soldiers wore cloth or metal badges on their coats or kepis to display their association with a corps. The fancier corps badges were inscribed with the owners' names and are sometimes dug up where they were lost oin the battlefield. This one belonged to a soldier named Dupre, who scratched his name on back, along with his 74th PA, Co. I assignment. The Pennsylvania 74th was hard fought: losing 20 at Cross Keys; 58 at Freeman's Ford; 52 at Chancellorsville; and having 103 of 134 put out of action on Cemetery Hill during Gettysburg!!! Afterwards, they laid down in South Carolina and West Virginia for the duration. Dupra was there through it all from 8/61 to 8/65, apparently never being seriously wounded. He rose to rank of Corporal and was mustered out in Clarksburg, West Virginia at the close of the hostilities. This pin came along with copies of Dupra's records. They tell us that he was unmarried, had sustained an inguinal hernia from lifting a heavy cooking broiler in the CW, and reenlisted out to the Indian Territories of Colorado, Kansas, Montana up thru the 1880's! Not a fearful nor a lackadasical man!
Indian War Period Image of a Federal Private
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This 1/6th plate tin shows an Indian War period cavalryman. His belt is the rectangular "US" variety (which is definitely a post Civil War issue). He holds a musket with fixed bayonet which seems earlier than his uniform. The style of his sloych hat suggests the 1880's which his musket seems earlier and might simply be a photographer's prop from the studio.
Ladies of the GAR medal: Asst. Conductress
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The "Ladies of the GAR" in general were the wives and sisters of Union Civil War veterans who eventually wanted their own forum when the men aspired to form the powerful G.A.R. fraternal organization in the late 1860's. The women integrated the schedules & activities of their own group with those of the men's conventions, banquets, picnics and meetings, often cooking and keeping a polite "lid" on the reveling of old male friends at the hude G.A.R. conventions. I suppose the thinking of the ladies was this: "If all our middle-aged men are going away to chat, feast and cavort in big-exciting cities like Niagra Falls and Atlantic City, well then, we are going along too!" A nice condition, bronze two-piece pinback with blue ribbon, made by Aug. Frank Co., Phila. For the "Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic 1886" This medal is for the "Asst. Conductress"
WW1 Postcard: Trrops at Dinner
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This WW1 Postcard shows troops sprawled out on the ground eating from mess kits. Unused. Nice condition.
WW1 Postcard: Ready to Fire
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The uniforms and equipment by the time World War I occurred (1914-18) were very much different than during the Civil War. But the men in the clothing were the same patriotic, idealistic and secretly-scared type of beings. Dough Boys heading toward Europe in 1917 and 1918 were often the Grandsons of Civil War Veterans.
GAR Paper-Pin
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This is a piece of paper folded over a straight pin, showing soldier and sailor beside GAR flag with eagle atop. Used as a cheap patriotic stickpin for the coat lapel during holiday parades & events. 2" x 1 3/8"
Victorian Souvenir Pin of Little Round Top
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This Victorian Era Souvenir Pin bought by Veterans, Soldier's Relatives and Tourists when visiting the famed Gettysburg battlefields. It shows a photograph of General Warren's Statue atop Little Round Top. It is 1 1/2", has a nice brass braid border and intact pin on back.
WWII Sterling Silver Flight Surgeon's Wings
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These are WWII sterling silver flight surgeons' wings by N.S.Meyer of New York. A full three inches across in nice shape!
A Scalped Lieutenant's retrieved Shoulder Boards
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If you don't like this story, then you don't like history and should go watch TV now! These Indian Wars construction Union Cavalry First Lieutenant's straps come with an old typed note that explain their tale: In about 1875, two soldiers out of Fort Buford were trapped on a butte and fought a Sioux war party to the death. These straps were retrieved from the dead Lieutenant's uniform and given to a sutler at the fort whose descendant passed them on to me. Here's some info. about this famous Western outpost, compliments of our web visitor Ryan Houston: Fort Buford commanded the vital Missouri-Yellowstone confluence, a major link in American military strategy of the nineteenth century. Established June 13, 1866, the fort eventually housed six companies of infantry and cavalry. Its early years saw frequent actions and numerous fatalities in skirmishes with American Indians living in the area. Units stationed at the post included the 6th Inf., and the Black 10th Cavalry and 25th Infantry. Called "buffalo soldiers," African American servicemen were stationed at Ft. Buford from 1891 to 1895. The most to serve there at any one time was 282 The soldiers policed the international boundary, guarded railway construction crews and provided escorts for steamers and wagon trains. Area settlement in the 1890s ended Ft. Bufords usefulness, and it was abandoned in Oct. 1895. Fort Buford played a role in the vigorous campaign against nonreservation Indians in the mid 1870s. The fort's surgeon, George E. Lord, was among those who died with Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. After the battle, the military pursued the Cheyenne and Sioux, including Sitting Bull and his followers, who went to Canada. Two years later, Sitting Bull returned to the United States at Fort Buford, formally ending his exile on July 20, 1881, at the quarters of the post's senior officer, Major David Brotherton. Sitting Bull was held prisoner at the fort and was later remanded to Fort Randall. Many famous frontier personalities are part of Fort Buford's history. Indian leaders detained as prisoners of war here included the Nez Perce Chief Joseph, Gall, Crow King, and Sitting Bull. Yellowstone Kelly, a scout, and Col. William B. Hazen were also among the residents of Fort Buford.
Daughters of Union Veterans Medal
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Even the daughters of Veterans formed their own sorietal organization to honor their Veteran fathers and grandfathers. Quite a progressive move considering the stern restrictions upon women during the period from 1865 through 1925: Women were expected to stay at home, not work, not attend University, be submissive to men, no vote, bear young, grin and bear it, and NOT act like an angry bear after all of that thankless grief!!! This is a medal for the "Daughters of Union Veterans" from the 1890-1915 era worn to meeting, parades, picnics and conventions.
1890's Gettysburg Stereocard
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This is a late 19th Century Stereo-card viewed in a stereo-viewer to get a three-dimensional effect. It shows ng a print by the famous American lithograher L. Prang, depicting what looks like the Union side during the culmination of Picket's charge at the "Battle of Gettysburg". (It could have been "borrowed" from a period Cyclorama) Edges attest that card was "Sold only by Berry, Kelley & Chadwick/ Office: Philadelphia Studio." The image was copyrighted by Prang in 1897. Overall is: 7" by 3 1/2", with each image panel being about 3" by 3". Stereo-viewers were popular entertainment in Victorian drawing rooms before their were radios, TV's and other modern ways to distract, amuse and communicate.
Flier for a Vaudevillian Show Down South
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This is a small paper flier advertising the "Slary Bro's Big Show" a Vaudevillian type medley of acts put on for the Benefit of J.E.B. Stuart Camp, C.V. No. 14 of Dinwiddie County. Cost: Ten Cents to "help the Confederate Veterans." Acts featured the Slary Brothers themselves as "Black Faced Comedians," as well as a Female Impersonator, a Wire & Rope Artist, a Ladder Act, and a Magician. Printed by Kirkham & Co. in Petersburg. This illustrates the influence of the Civil WAr years later as Vaudeville evolved on stages played in the South.
Wounded WWI Troopers
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A stereoview (#119)of World War (I) from a 1921 series of 300 by the "Keystone View Company." On back it has a descriptive text. The long trench-warefare siege at Petersburg during the Civil War was only a prelude to the carnage in the trenches of Europe during World War I.
Young German Lad Surrendered to French
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Even after World War I, stereoviews of armed conflict were still be sold. This image is #169 out of a series of 300 by the Keystone View Company from about 1921. It shows a young German private who looks dejected (and a lot like Leonardo DiCaprio) under guard in a French trench. Near the end of WWI, the German High Command was so desperate for volumes of fresh troops that it drew graduating classes of 17 and 18 years olds directly out onto the murderous frontlines. This lad chose to surrender rather than mingle his bones in the marshes and trenches with those of his supposed enemies...
Postcard of Meade at Gettysburg
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A Photochrom postcard of Union General Meade with his staff during the Battle of Gettysburg. From the early 1900's as evidenced by the need for only "one cent" postage. After the failure of Picket's advance through open fields on Day Three, the Confederate forces were severely reduced in both military power and zeal. The Civil War became a chess match that seemed to be stalling the inevitable. Yet the excellent strategies of Robert E. Lee and his regional commanders thwarted any quick or easy victory by the Union armies pouring South. The common Confederate foot soldier was not so common, having spirit, guts and a tremendous endurance based on a fervent hope for triumph. This is an unused postcard. Visitors have continued to frequent the Gettysburg battlefield and surrounding shoppes ever since the 1863 battle. Sending colorful postcards home that are postmarked "Gettysburg" is still a very common practice.
General Grant Trade Card
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For decades after the Civil War ended, soldiers from both side admired the noble spirits of their deceased heroes and leaders. This colorful lithographic "trade card" was likely given out free in the late 1800's or early 1900's... There were similar patriotic momentoes given by Southern business that depicted Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson among others...
A GHOST FACE FROM WORLD WAR II BATTLEFIELD!
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This photographic brooch of a young woman was found amongst a pile of spent machine gun bullets on the Arnhem battlefields of WWII... Coming from near an old farm called "Ommershof" which was the scene of intense fighting between British /Polish airborne divisions and the German Forces in 1944. Dubbed Operation Market Garden. Now we must wonder: Who was the young lady pictured, a sister, wife, or dancehall sweetheart? And how did this once-cherished brooch get lost amongst the deadly pile of automatic firearm casings? We are forced to ponder: Did this soldier survive the pitched & bloody conflict to see her again upon this earth? Or is he resting in a European military cemetary within those overly-long rows of white granite grave markers inscribed repeatedly as "Unknown"? How odd that her face and eyes look to us now~ as if they are still asking insistently: Why is there a thing called war which meanly robs us of our loved ones?
A British Chaplain's cap badge
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This is a very rare World War One badge from a military trashpit near the fierce Ypres battlefields of Europe. Often the Medics, Orderlies, Porters, Drivers, Nurses and even good-hearted Chaplains became victims of gunfire and artillery barrages. War is sadly quite indiscriminant and wholly unfair in who it kills in its ugly deluge.
BEFORE and AFTER: RESTORATION
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This image shows a Civil War officer's shoulder "rank" board. It has a metal frame known as the "Smith Patent Type." Sadly, over many decades moths liked to feast upon the cloth of caps, uniforms and even the background blue-colored "nap" of this board. It was riddled with moth holes when I received it. But happily, the dark blue material survived much better on the backside of the strap. So with careful piecing together like a jig-saw puzzle, the original material was harvested from the back to the frontside rank field. The photograph shows a "before" and "after" view. There are specialists for restoring many categories of historic Civil War militaria, such as photographs, documents, flags, textiles, firearms and belt plates. Not only do restored items look good but they also visually come back to life to the imagination. And sometimes, restoration stabilizes & preserves items that become very fragile when left in pieces which continue to deteriorate.
Voted into the Veterans Group or Black Balled Out?
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This is a Nineteenth Century "Ballot Box" as used by Fraternal Organizations like the Masons & Elks and, as we see here, also used by GAR Veteran's Units of the Civil War to vote on important issues secretly. Use of these boxes coined the old phrase that one is being "black balled" or voted out. The current members put either a white clay marble for yes, or the dreaded black marble for "NO!" into the opening in the box during a pass around vote. The new applicant then sweats it out as each marble is removed one-by-one. If he is voted out, he never quite knows who stuck it to him! This box has nice old gold paint letters on the lid: "13th Veteran Reg't Assoc." The person I acquired it from believes it is from the 13th Ohio due to where it surfaced on the antiques market. If you look inside, you see two compartments connected by a fancy channel. 9 1/4" by 5 3/4" by5" high. Looks like walnut or chestnut to me.
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