Cast iron glue pot. Animal hide glue was melted in the small pot while hot water was poured into the larger pot. The hot water kept the glue in a liquid state. This type of glue was very common during the 19th through the early 20th centuries.
Letter to "Dear Dear Wife" (J. E. Harrison), written by a soldier in Wartburg, saying that he is in good health and spirits. Harrison describes the difficulty of marching "day and knight," once going "20 miles on one of those tramps stopping only...
.36 caliber Colt Navy revolver, serial number 103239. Inscription on the backstrap reads, "Presented to Colonel George G. Dibrell, 8th Tenn. Cav. by friends and citizens of Sparta, Tenn." The top flat of the barrel is marked, "ADDRESS COL. SAML...
Pair of leather pommel holsters with brass tips. The holsters belonged to Gen. George Dibrell, 8th (also 13th) Tenn. Cav. Regt. The unit, referred to as the "Independent Partisan Rangers," was composed of 921 men primarily from White, Putnam, and...
Letter to "Dear, Dear Wife" (J. E. Harrison) written by a soldier from Camp Jackson, 15 miles from Gallatin. The writer is enjoying good health, but wants to see his wife very much. "[I]t want be long till I will come to hold you to my bosem, the...
Model 1860 cavalry saber and scabbard. "K I" is cut into the saber's pommel cap and the blade is marked, "P.S. JUSTICE PHILADA." The scabbard is nickel-plated.
Letter addressed to Misses [?] and Hattie Norman. Johnson laments that he has heard nothing from home and notes the many changes since the war began. "The dark and bloody tide of war has raged for four years sweeping friend & foe. But thank heaven...
Ribbon and pin marking the 3rd annual reunion of the 23rd Maine Vol. Inf. Regt. A medallion is attached to the bottom of the blue silk ribbon. The medallion includes a scene from a Union encampment on one side and the Maine state seal on the other...
Leather fold-over coin purse and United States matron head one-cent coin. The purse is tattered, and has a distinct imprint from the coin. The back of the coin has been polished smooth. There is a square hole punched in the 9 o'clock position. It...
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) items in wooden frame. The most striking is a veteran's medal made with a silk U.S. flag suspended from a spread-eagle pin. A five-pointed star hangs from the flag. Also included are two GAR buttons, a GAR cap...
Double-cased studio portraits of Oliver Rodgers (ambrotype) and unidentified boy (tintype). Rodgers, Co. G, 44th Ill. Vol. Inf., USA, poses in uniform with his left hand resting inside coat at chest level. The boy, dressed in suit and tie, is...
Letter from Titus Rodgers to his mother. He tells her that he is well and his company has been twelve days on the march. Titus enlisted in Chicago with his brother Oliver. Family lore states that he was on Gen. Grant's staff. He is said to have...
Letter from Oliver Rodgers to his sister, dated April 11, 1865, Blew Springs, Tenn. Oliver writes of Gen. Lee surrendering his army to Gen. Grant. "Col. Russell was at Midway [probably Greene Co.] and heard the firing in the camp and thought that...
Silver and glass relish dish and tongs from the family of Richard England. The silver is plated with designs and the glass is engraved with a woman and cherub. "Middletown plate" is engraved on the bottom of the silver plate. Family legend states...