Photographs can be powerful connections to the past. Soldiers, for example often had their portraits made before going off to war so that loved ones would have a rememberance of them in the event they did not return. This decorative mat is unusual and suggests the pride the owner may have felt about his status as a fighting soldier.
Ambrotypes were most popular in the mid-1850s, and, therefore, are less common than other formats for portraits of Civil War soldiers. Ambrotypes are cased collodian negatives backed by dark cloth, paper, or varnish. In this example, pink coloring has been applied to the subjects's cheeks to make the portrait feel more warm and human.
overall: 4 in x 4 in x 3/16 in; 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm x .4318 cm
Object Name:
hardtack
Object Type:
hardtack
Associated date:
1861 - 1865
Subject:
Military
Food
ThinkFinity
Event:
Civil War
Civil War and Reconstruction
ID Number:
AF*55596
Catalog number:
55596
Accession number:
195333
Description:
Physical Description
Small metal box to protect matches, two-piece lantern, metal frying pan, and cup. Hardtack.
General History
A match safe, lantern, frying pan, and cup would have been part of a soldier’s equipment. Hardtack is the name given to a thick cracker made of flour, water, and sometimes salt. While it has been called by several nicknames, the Union Army of the Potomac referred to the ration as hardtack, and the name stuck. When stored properly, hardtack would last for years. Because it could be prepared cheaply and would last so long, hardtack was the most convenient food for soldiers. The army furnished hardtack by weight, but in most units the biscuits were doled out by number, with a ration generally being nine or ten.
Rubenstein, Harry R.. Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
ID Number:
PL*025222
Catalog number:
25222
Accession number:
64127
Description:
Wooden draft wheel used during the Civil War. The names of men eligible for the draft were written on slips of paper and dropped into this wheel. An official pulled out names to fill the ranks of the Union army.
Mrs. Gilbert (Susannah G.) Pullen and her Sunday school class made this pieced quilt in Augusta, Maine in 1863. She followed the guidelines set by the U.S. Sanitary Commission for bedding to be used in the Civil War. The fourteen young ladies in the Sunday school class contributed over 150 inscriptions that were penned on the quilt's fifteen separate star-patterned blocks. They chose Bible passages, stories to uplift and guide, and riddles to which the answer was only to be found in the Bible. They also provided numerous inscriptions on practical health advice, patriotic messages, and light-hearted riddles. Even personal messages such as: "If you are good looking send me your photograph. Direct to the name in the large square. E.G.D." appeared on the quilt. It was hoped that the quilt would not only provide a diversion for the wounded soldiers during their long days recovering in hospital but also "alleviate or prevent disease and lead to happiness and Heaven." The numerous inscriptions on this quilt provide an insight into the feelings and concerns of the period and perhaps all war eras.
Susannah Pullen expressed hope for correspondence when she penned these words on the quilt: "We have many dear friends connected with the army & any proper letters from any persons embraced in the defense of our country, received by any whose names are on this quilt shall have a reply. Tell us if nothing more its destination. We meet with many others to sew for you every Wednesday and your letters would prompt us to more exertions for our patriots." Two letters remain with the quilt and attest to its use at the Carver and Armory Square Hospitals in Washington D.C. A letter from Sergt. Nelson S. Fales of Nov. 22, 1863 eloquently expresses his gratitude: "Dear Madam I have had the pleasure of seeing the beautiful 'Quilt' sent by you to cheer and comfort the Maine Soldiers. I have read the mottoes, sentiments, etc., inscribed thereon with much pleasure and profit."
On the back of the quilt Susannah Pullen penned these words: “The commencement of this war took place Apr. 12th 1861. The first gun was fired from Fort Sumter. God speed the time when we can tell when, and where, the last gun was fired; & ‘we shall learn war no more.’ If this quilt survives the war we would like to have it returned to Mrs. Gilbert Pullen, Augusta, Me . . . This quilt completed Sept. 1st 1863.” It did survive use during the Civil War, and it was returned to Mrs. Pullen as she requested.
Susannah G. Corey was born in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1816. She married Gilbert Pullen (1810-1890) April 26, 1840. Gilbert was listed as a marble cutter on the 1850 census. They lived in Augusta, Maine with their two daughters, Susan E. and Charlotte. Susannah and Gilbert were members of the First Baptist Church. Susannah died November 26, 1871, and is buried in the Forest Grove Cemetery in Augusta, Maine.
Susannah Pullen's Civil War Quilt was exhibited at a library in Augusta, Maine, for many years. Over time the inscriptions faded, but fortunately a transcription of them was made in the early-twentieth century. In 1936 Susannah’s granddaughter, Gertrude B. Davis, donated the quilt in her mother’s name, Charlotte Pullen Scruton. It is a reminder of the efforts of the many women who used their needlework and organizational skills to provide comfort for the armies of both the North and South.
National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Type:
YouTube Videos
Uploaded:
2011-09-25T17:06:16.000Z
Metadata Updated:
2013-03-27T17:48:30.000Z
Topic:
American History
YouTube Category:
Education
Views:
1508
Video Title:
Personal and public: Civil War portraits
Description:
While the photographs of battlefields are absolutely compelling, Shannon Perich, curator of Photographic History, is really interested in the ways in which personal relationships with photography during a national crisis help us understand the nuances of past individual experiences. By drilling down to the personal, the complexities of the political, social and cultural life are revealed and create a richer history. This video was created by Matt Lemanski, in partnership with the American University School of Communication. Learn more on our blog: http://blog.americanhistory.si.edu/osaycanyousee/2011/10/civil-war-portraits-where-personal-and-public-meet-video.html
Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the Civil War. Volume 2
Maker:
Gardner, Alexander
Physical Description:
paper (overall material)
Object Name:
photographs, album
Date made:
1866
Subject:
Art
Photography
National Treasures exhibit
Gardner's Sketchbook
Event:
Civil War
Related Publication:
Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
Publication title:
Treasures of American History online exhibition
Publication author:
National Museum of American History
Publication URL:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
ID Number:
1986.0711.0283
Accession number:
1986.0711
Catalog number:
1986.0711.0283
Description:
Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War was published in 1866. Each of the two albums contains fifty photographs of different scenes of the Civil War and is accompanied by text written by Gardner. These are rare books, each produced by hand. Just a few sets were sold as they were very costly to produce and, after the Civil War, many Americans were looking forward, trying to move on from the death and destruction of the war.
Gardner was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1821. Before coming to America in 1856, he was trained as a jeweler and a chemist, but was more interested in the fairly new invention of photography. After immigrating to New York, he worked for Mathew Brady in his photographic studios in New York and Washington, DC. In 1862, after disagreeing with Brady over photographers' rights to receive credit for their pictures, he left his studio and started his own business in Washington, DC, where his most famous subject was Abraham Lincoln. Gardner took not only the last posed photograph of Lincoln in February 1865, but also photographs of his funeral and the hanging of the conspirators in his assassination. He also took pictures of other government figures such as Supreme Court Justices and visiting delegates.
During the Civil War, Gardner became a photographer for the Army of the Potomac, taking pictures of not only non-battle scenes, such as military camps, but also the aftermath of battles that had just taken place. He later combined his photographs of the war with those of his staff photographers and published the two-volume book Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War, for which he became most famous. Gardner died in 1882 in Washington, DC.
Smithsonian National Quilt Collection: Civil War Sunday School Quilt
Creator:
National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Type:
YouTube Videos
Uploaded:
2011-06-28T12:26:56.000Z
Metadata Updated:
2013-01-29T22:39:50.000Z
Topic:
American History
YouTube Category:
Education
Views:
2537
Video Title:
Smithsonian National Quilt Collection: Civil War Sunday School Quilt
Description:
Virginia Eisemon discusses the history of a quilt made by a Maine Sunday school class for the benefit of hospitalized Union soldiers. This virtual tour was made possible by a grant from Patty Stonesifer and Michael Kinsley through The Seattle Foundation. The gift was made in honor of Mrs. Frances Quigley. Learn more about the National Quilt Collection: http://americanhistory.si.edu/news/factsheet.cfm?key=30&newskey=1356
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token in 1863. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Image of a George Washington equestrian statue. The legend reads: FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE/1863.
Reverse: U.S. shield surrounded by four flags, wreath with one side of palm and one of oak. The legend reads: UNION FOR EVER.
During the American Civil War, Gen. Benjamin F. Butler so appreciated the heroic actions of African American soldiers under his command at the 1864 battles of Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer that he commissioned a special medal for them. Designed by Anthony C. Paquet and realized in silver by Tiffany, the U.S. Colored Troops medal had no official status. After General Butler was relieved of his command in 1865, the 300 U.S. Colored Troops who had received the medals were forbidden to wear them on their uniforms.
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a large blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. Reinforcement squares of fabric at both hoist corners. Undyed heading with a metal grommet at each end. Inscription on hoist reads "5TH ARMY/CORPS 3RD DIVISION".
Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 8th Army Corps
Physical Description:
wool (overall material)
cotton (heading material)
Measurements:
overall: 71 3/4 in x 54 in; 182.245 cm x 137.16 cm
Object Name:
flag, designating
Subject:
Military
Flags
Civil War
Flags
Civil War
Designating Flags
Event:
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*25238F
Catalog number:
25232F
Accession number:
64127
Description:
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. There is a red six-point star inset in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist is machine-stitched and does not have grommets. Flag seams are flat-felled and machine-stitched. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Brg. 1st Div. 8 Army Corps".
Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 19th Army Corps
Physical Description:
wool (overall material)
canvas (part: heading material)
cotton (part: applique material)
Measurements:
overall: 50 1/4 in x 45 in; 127.635 cm x 114.3 cm
Object Name:
flag, designating
Subject:
Military
Flags
Civil War
Flags
Civil War
Designating Flags
Event:
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*25249D
Catalog number:
25249D
Accession number:
64127
Description:
Pre-1863 design. Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal triband design. The top and bottom bands are blue; the middle band is white. In the center of the middle band is a black cotton number "3" applique. White cotton canvas heading with no grommets. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams.
Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps
Maker:
Robert C. Toy
Physical Description:
wool (overall material)
Object Name:
flag, designating
Place made:
United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Date made:
1890-1897
Subject:
Military
Flags
Civil War
Flags
Civil War
Designating Flags
Event:
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*25249HH
Catalog number:
25249HH
Accession number:
64127
Description:
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border at the hoist. In the center of the flag is a blue fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div. 2nd Brg. 19 th Army Corps R. C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila."
Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 22nd Army Corps
Maker:
Robert C. Toy
Physical Description:
wool (overall material)
Object Name:
flag, designating
Place made:
United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Date made:
ca 1890-1897
Subject:
Military
Flags
Designating Flags
Civil War
Flags
Civil War
Event:
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*25252E
Catalog number:
25252E
Accession number:
64127
Description:
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red pentagonal cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R.C. Toy 49.N.9th Phila 22 Army Corps 1st Brg 1st Div".
Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland
Maker:
Robert C. Toy
Physical Description:
wool (overall material)
cotton (part: heading material)
Measurements:
overall: 73 7/8 in x 61 3/8 in; 187.6425 cm x 155.8925 cm
Object Name:
flag, designating
Place made:
United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Date made:
1890-1897
Subject:
Military
Flags
Designating Flags
Civil War
Flags
Civil War
Event:
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*25250T
Catalog number:
25250T
Accession number:
64127
Description:
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div 1st Brg 20th Army Corps Dept of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white cotton thread.
Page from an advertising brochure for the Lowe Press manufactured by the Lowe Printing Company, Boston, about 1865
Maker:
Lowe, Samuel W.
Manufacturer:
Watson, Joseph
Physical Description:
paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 22 cm x 15 cm; 8 11/16 in x 5 7/8 in
Object Name:
pamphlet
Object Type:
Letterpress
Place Made:
United States: Massachusetts, Boston
Date made:
1865
Subject:
Communications
Printing
Civil War Field Printing
Civil War
ID Number:
2007.0162.014
Accession number:
2007.0162
Catalog number:
2007.0162.014
Description:
One of the Lowe printing press advertisements included examples of the fonts of type available for sale with the Lowe Press kits. They were sold with three sizes and three fonts of type, described as both plain and fancy.
The brochure reads: We have sold many Presses to the Army and Navy, to printers, druggists, medicine dealers, merchants, clergymen, lawyers, mechanics . . . in the country, the Canadas, and in other lands.
overall (padded): 47 in x 184 in x 4 in; 119.38 cm x 467.36 cm x 10.16 cm
Object Name:
cloak
Associated date:
1865-1870
Subject:
Military
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*35009
Catalog number:
35009
Accession number:
87112
Description:
This cloak was made from captured Confederate Army gray cloth and was worn by a woman. The donor indicates that this cloak was made at the first Freedmen's School in Richmond, Virginia. After the Civil War, the Freedmen's Bureau aided the establishment of schools to educate emancipated African-Americans.
The cloak is gray wool with three large brass eagle buttons and a 15" long hood. The circumference of the bottom edge of the cloak measures 184 inches. The inside of the cloak is fully lined with red wool.
overall (padded): 21 in x 12 in x 3 in; 53.34 cm x 30.48 cm x 7.62 cm
Object Name:
vest
Associated date:
1861-1865
Subject:
Military Uniforms
Civil War Uniforms
Military
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*2142A
Catalog number:
2142A
Accession number:
18342
Description:
This vest was worn by a Confederate Army surgeon during the American Civil War. This is a single-breasted gray wool vest which originally had seven small brass eagle buttons. The second button from the top is missing. There is one horizontal slash pocket on the right front breast and two on the lower left front. The back of the vest is coarse off-white fabric. The front of the vest is lined and padded. The text "Dr. I.E. Nagle. Surgeon, C.S.A." is handwritten on the left lining in blue ink. There is also a modern identification tag stapled into the back with the number "2142(A)."
overall (padded): 29 1/2 in x 19 in x 3 in; 74.93 cm x 48.26 cm x 7.62 cm
Object Name:
coat
sack coat
Used date:
1858-1872
Subject:
Military Uniforms
Civil War Uniforms
Military
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*316364.001
Accession number:
316364
Catalog number:
316364.001
Description (Brief):
This is a model 1858 sack coat that would have been worn by an enlisted man in the U.S. Army. Dark blue unlined wool hand sewn collared blouse. Center front has four buttonholes down left side. All buttons are missing. Cuffs are plain. There is a breast pocket in the lining on the left side created by sewing the outer and lining fabric together. A mended hole is on the left cuff.
overall (padded): 24 in x 17 in x 2 in; 60.96 cm x 43.18 cm x 5.08 cm
Object Name:
vest
Associated date:
1850
1865
Subject:
Military Uniforms
Civil War Uniforms
Military
Civil War
ID Number:
AF*69783M
Catalog number:
69783M
Accession number:
273248
Description:
This vest was worn by Army Major General D.K. Jackman. White wool vest with 9 small flat gilt buttons (held on with rings) down the front. Worn while marshall of a parade in Philadelphia while President Lincoln's body was lying in state. There is a pocket on each lower edge of the front and a small deep pocket on the upper left front. There is a large vest pocket on the inside right lining. The back is natural cotton. There is an adjustment strap with buckle. The lining is natural cotton.
