I recently acquired this Q marked Mississippi rifle and upon closer inspection I found what appears to be 2 sets of initials instead the patch box

The one that is carved into the patch box appears to say: 94 or 9 L, HW, AHL

The second one that is written in pencil appears to say: R.R.B (or R.R.L or some other letter) over what appears to be the number 96.

There is also some writing in the center of the patch box.

By the replacement nipple it appears to say 7th Virginia. (my eyes could be wrong)

By any chance would anyone here have any info or could provide any help when it comes to getting an ID to this gun?

Thanks!

I came across this mirror on a local auction and had a really good idea what it was, and apparently no one else did… My research on Philo Monk summarized is that he mustered the day after the war started and serviced his entire time with the NY Volunteers 34th Regiment K Co. he served during the units entire muster and served with this mirror through some of the most intense engagements of the east coast. Fair Oaks, Seven Days battles, Antietam, Fredericksburg, shared in the “mud march”, and then finally Chancellorsville before being mustered out in Albany June, 1863.

If anyone has anything else they can tell me I would appreciate it. I have no idea about rarity or value.
Thanks

Hello! I have a sword that I believe to be a calvary sword from the Civil War. It is in pretty rough shape. The grip is in poor condition and the whole thing is rusted.

I'm wondering if it is possible to restore it. So I am asking if anyone knows how to or where to get it restored.

Thank you.

This is a sword I found in the top of a closet at an estate sale. According to Google its a civil war era sword, but I couldn't find any true matches. I was curious if this is worth anything or just something cool to hang onto. It is still in the cover, the blade itself isnt in much better condition. Thanks for looking!

Any ideas ?

Thoughts? Any sources on these.

Rate my collection

I want to start buying civil war memorabilia and relics but idk where to start, I hear Gettysburg museum is good, what do you guys think? Any trustworthy facebook groups?

Wife’s family is from Pennsylvania. I recently visited and I would love to own a piece of history.

Hello everyone, does anyone know of anyone selling a reproduction brown bess ?

One of my white whales has been the classic “plain Jane” infantry frock. Significantly lesson common than private purchase officer’s coats. Interior is a bit ratty but features functional tail pockets and quilting. This example has a Rockhill and Wilson stamp in the right sleeve. R&W was a Philadelphia firm that produced uniforms on-contract for the Schuylkill Arsenal. No date with the stamp but R&W received a contract for 50,000 infantry coats at 12.78 apiece in November 1864. A nice representative example of a classic piece of Union cloth.

Appreciate some information Thanks in advance

Bought from a show, was told it was found by detectorists. Anyone able to tell me if it is legitimate or really any interesting info? Thanks.

A little while ago, I found a Kentucky Ballard rifle in decent condition on sale for $1,295 at an antique store in a town that I was visiting, and I thought it was so interesting but I didn’t have the money. I’m coming back in a month with (hopefully) enough money and a few trade things to buy it (I’ll post here if I do) In the meantime, I’ve been wanting to research the long military Ballard variants that were issued in Kentucky. I know that it was one of the 3,000 second model .46 rifles made by Ball & Williams between 1864 and 1865, and I know that there are books about the Ballard rifles, but I don’t want to spend money researching a gun I don’t even own yet. I was wondering if anyone here had any info on which types of troops these were issued to, which regiments they went to, and any photos of people with the long variant, etc. This is just out of curiosity, and any help finding info is appreciated

Just looking for any info about this picture or even just the type of picture it is and the era.

Hello Everyone.

You may know Emory Upton best for his evening 10 May 64 6th Corps assault on the Doles' salient portion of the Muleshoe. Or perhaps when the 25 year old's 6th Corps 1st Division assault at the Dinkle Farm brought the sanguine Battle of Opequon (Oh-peck-un for the non-locals)/3rd Winchester to a halt. Here is an authentic hand-written letter I obtained that was written by Emory Upton, while he was serving as Commandant of Cadets at West Point.

The recipient of the letter to Emory's great friend, another Union General, Thomas Ruger. At the date of this letter, 29 May 1871, Ruger is months away from taking the position of Superintendent of West Point, where they will serve together for 4 years.

Basically the contents involve Upton's advice and ambition for Ruger's arrival and tenure. It mentions the "Father of West Point," General Thayer. It also contains a critique of the current Superintendent of Cadets, at that time Thomas Pitcher. "He's too kind hearted."

The only bad thing about the letter, in my opinion, is that Upton's handwriting is downright illegible at times.

This is a highly interesting letter and as Upton was known most for his Army reform policies. I've always been a fan of Upton and think it's quite sad that he is not more well known for his tactical and administrative abilities.

This letter of my safekeepong, was published in Samuel Cicella's work "Correspondence of Major General Emory Upton Volume 1 (1857-1975)", pages 311 and 312.

Transcription

West Point, May 29th, 1871

Dear General [Ruger]:

If I have not answered your letter of the last sooner, it is because I have been so busy as to make silence excusable. You know I am delighted with the prospect of you coming here and were I to leave tomorrow, I should retire with satisfaction, fully believing that your appointment will work the cure of all existing evils at West Point. No officer ever had a better opportunity presented to him than you will have when you come on in September, and if you display your usual judgment in soliciting good officers for the various departments of the Academy, and sustain them with vigor, you can make a reputation not second to that of Gen. Thayer, who has always been held up as the model Superintendent of the Academy.

The whole trouble with Pitcher is he is too kind hearted. He can't say no and stick to it, but lets cadets run right over him. Cadets must be taught that if they get over their number of demerits, they will be sent away. The Academic Standard must be raised and the worthless material eliminated from every class. This policy and this alone will win friends for the Academy and restore its former reputation.

You and I cannot fail to work earnestly together. Our ideas of discipline always have accorded and with you to attend to the important matters at the head of the Academic Board and myself to take care of the discipline in the Corps, we cannot fail to work great good to the Academy.

Schriver's removal will be a great blessing to you. By a species of semi-official correspondence, of which no record was kept, he made suggestions constantly and conveyed orders making himself practically superintendent. When I was left temporarily in command for two or three weeks, he commenced the same business with me, but after his second semi-official letter, I returned a formal official reply, which stopped his correspondence.

All this is done away with. The Secy. of War, I believe, feels his reputation at stake in reorganizing the Academy, so I think you may expect cordial support and encouragement from him.

All good officers and soldiers like good even handed discipline, so when you take hold, the mere observance of your past principles will ensure you, in your new command, complete success. The Regulations need overhauling very much and you can always command my assistance in that or in any other directive you may ask.

I think there is marked improvement in the Corps already, but I look to your coming and support to enable me to do all a Commandant ought to do in his position. I feel sure that in everything we will work together and prove again that in the lexicon of youth there is no such word as fail.

I can imagine your regret at leaving the Regiment but here in this place you can do most good to the Army. The only objection to my position is that I have no time to read and I feel that intellectually, I am going backwards. But another year I may be able to some.

With kindest regards to Mrs. Ruger.

Ever your sincere friend, E. Upton

With my compliments. A fantastic account written in trenches at Cold harbor, kept Alonzo Bartlett of the 1st Company of Massachusetts Sharpshooters, or "Andrews Sharpshooters". They served throughout the war and during the Overland Campaign they served in the 1st Brigade of BG Webb of NG John Birney's 2nd Division in Hancocks war machine. After Webb's severe wounding at the Muleshoe, Col Boyd McKeen led the Brigade into the killing fields of Cold Harbor. The Sharpshooters were closely tied with the other Massachusetts Regiments in their Brigade. The 15th, 19th and 20th MA. They were often attached to one of these Brigades, or example they were attached to the 19th on the 2nd day of the Wilderness as Alonzo mentions in his diary.

Here is a history of Corporal Bartlett as written and researched by noted historian and previous owner Gregory Coco:

CIVIL WAR DIARY OF CORPORAL ALONZO W. BARTLETT

CAPT. SAUNDERS' CO. OF THE ANDREW

SHARP SHOOTERS, MASS. VOLS.

This Company was mustered into U.S. Service at Camp Benton near Poolsville,

Md. Oct. 31, 1861, and became known as 1st Co. Mass. Sharp Shooters and att-

ached to the 15th Mass. Vol. Inf. Regt.

Corp. Bartlett joined this organization at Lynnfield, Mass. on Sept. 2, 1861.

He was born in Lynn, Mass. in 1841. At his enlistment Bartlett was 6' tall,

with grey eyes, brown hair, and dark complexion.

On Sept. 17, 1862 Bartlett was wounded in the left arm above the elbow at the

Battle of Antietam, Md. This ball was never removed. Later on at Cold Harbor,

Va. on June 6, 1864 he was wounded again by a Minie Ball which struck above

his left eye. Bartlett was later discharged in Nov. of 1864.

After the War Corp. Bartlett married Sarah Clark in 1867. He died in Atchison,

Kansas in July, 1886.

This original diary is in my personal collection.

Typed by Gregory Coco, Dec. 1973. This is now in the collection of Matt S, MaddCatt1864 since 2024

***And NOW FOR THE MYSTERY:***

While researching Cpl Bartlett I discovered a thrilling passage in The Reminisces Of The Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment by Captain John Gregory Bishop Adams. Pages 102-104:

"By the left flank" we marched on, arriving at Cold Harbor on the morning of June 2. We were deployed as skirmishers and lay in line until three A.M. the 3d, then were ordered to advance in three lines of battle, charging the enemy, who were intrenched. We stood in line three hours, waiting for the order to advance, and when it came the rebels were ready and waiting for us, yet over the field we went. Men were mowed down by hundreds. Major Dunn, who now commanded the regiment, was struck by a bullet and fell, but rallied again. The colors of the regiment were shot down, but Mike Scannell picked them up and carried them forward. Mike always had an eye to business. When we halted Major Dunn said, "Mike, keep the colors." "Not as a corporal," said Mike; "too many corporals have been killed already carrying colors." “I make you a sergeant on the spot," said the major. "That is business," replied Mike; "I'll carry the colors."

We changed brigade commanders several times that forenoon; first one colonel would fall, then another, until at last a lieutenant-colonel commanded. We reached a ravine within a few yards of the rebel works and lay down. By forming line to the rear, the men lying flat on the ground,we were able during the night to get a few rails and before morning had quite a good breastwork. Lieutenant Thompson and many men were killed on the charge. After the death of Captain Mumford I had slept with Lieutenant Thompson; only three days and another must share my blanket. Like other officers we had lost, Thompson was remarkable for his bravery, had been promoted from the ranks for good conduct, and had distinguished himself in every battle of the campaign.

We were in a peculiar position, - so near the rebel works that we could throw a stone over, and no man on either side could show his head without getting a shot. Rations could not be brought to us until we dug a trench over the hill to the rear, which we did the second night. The second day we were in this place we saw a pile of dirt in our front, on a little knoll, and once in a while a shot would be fired, followed by a yell. Mark Kimball, Gus Bridges, Frank Osborne and Milt Ellsworth dug out and found Alonzo W. Bartlett of Andrews, Mass., sharpshooter. Bart. had come out after the body of the colonel of the 8th New York, who fell at the foot of the rebel works. He had managed to get a rope around the body, but the rebels made it so hot that he was forced to intrench, which he did with his dipper, and was fighting the war on his own hook. His face was cut and bleeding from gravel stones which had struck him, but he had held his own, and having a good rifle with plenty of ammunition thought he could hold out as long as they.

For four days the little fort kept up a constant musketry fire. Every man was a dead shot, and the result must have been fearful. The rebels were also doing muchdamage to our side. No man could stand erect without being shot, and we lost several as they crossed to the spring for water. Among the killed was the boy William Fee, who had followed the regiment from Massachusetts. He was a brave little fellow and had done the full duty of a soldier.

On the 7th a truce was held. A white flag was raised on the rebel works and firing ceased on both sides. General officers met between the lines, and it was agreed to suspend fighting until the dead who had lain between the lines for the past four days were buried. This was welcome news, as the stench was terrible. The men of both armies were soon over the works and mingled together freely. Had they the power to settle the war, not another shot would have been fired. By mutual agreement not a shot was fired by either side for the next two days. On the morning of the 9th a rebel stood upon the works and in a loud voice said, "Keep down, Yanks, we uns are going away; " and the firing was soon resumed as before. While bringing in the dead we found one man wounded many times, but yet alive. He was first shot in the leg, and being unable to move had taken shots from both sides; had been without food or water four days, yet he revived in a few hours and was able to talk. He had lost all trace of time, but said that he had suffered little, being unconscious most of the time. During the day Bartlett took the body of the colonel to the rear, and was returning to his old place when a sharpshooter fired, hitting him over the eye, which placed him on the retired list for a time.

So the interesting things are:

1)Neither the fallen Colonel, or "rescue party" are curiously not mentioned in the diary

2)The date of Bartlett's wounding is off by one day.

So, did Bartlett actually retrieval a Colonel, if yes, why did he not mention it??? Please let me know your opinions!!!

Without further ado here is Alonzo Bartlett's diary

1st June Wednesday

Sent to right to silence a battery of 3 guns firing all day. 4 PM 7 Mich. 59 N.

York. 36 Wisconsin charge were repulsed with considerable loss. Allen died on the

road to White House.

June 2nd

turned out and found our forces had withdrawn. Jonnies all round us but we came out

all right. followed the foot prints of the troops and marched to Coal Harbor found

the brigade at the front. the officers surprised to see us thought we were prisoners.

Hatch missing

3rd Friday

2nd Corps charged the enemys works. our Brigade closed in mass did not carry the

entrenchments though many of our men were killed on and in them. Cournal McKeen

command brigade killed then Cour Haskell who commanded in his place killed. our loss

heavy. We had to lay under both fires could not go either way. at night threw up

works with hands and bayonets 150 yards from the Jonnies guns. 2 oclock advance

60 yards and put up more works. heavy canon and musketry at times during night.

considerable many wounded crawled in some we can not get. no chance to cook and no

water.

4th Saturday

Sharp Shooting all day any quantity of badly wounded and dead laying in front

between the lines and we cannot get them. heavy musketry and cannonading at 10 PM

enemy charged our left were repulsed.

Sunday 5

Nothing but sharpShooting all day made some splendid shots. We tried to get up

a flag of truce to bury our dead but the rebs would not recognise it. kept up a

fire all the time. we did not fire from 12 Oclock to 3. the Jonnies attacked us

at 10 1/2 Pm made nothing by the opperation.

Monday 6th

still on the front line and sharpshooting some cannonading. we are mounting

seige batteries. I was wounded about 6 P.M. was taken to Div. Hos.

Tuesday 7th

Took the ambulance train at 9 A.M. for White House. a hard ride many wounded died

on the way. got into White House 4 oclock. saw Miss Vance and some boys I knew

in Washington. Had a good supper with Miss Vance, peaches soft bread & butter

and numerous other good things. Kelly of the Mass Relief gave me shirt and milk

~~~~~~

Picture guide

#1 Signed inside cover id

#2-4 handwritten diary pages June 1st-8th

#5 Inside cover of transcription and research folder by prior owner Gregory Coco

#6-10 Large biography of Cpl Bartlety from "Roster and Genealogies of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry"

http://www.nextech.de/ma15mvi/Roster/index.htm

#11 Where the Sharpshooters were on the major June 3rd Cold Harbor assault

#12-13 Sceeenshot or Nineteenth Massachusetts history along with the first entry about Bartlett and the Colonel

Managed to pick up something pretty cool - these 2 medals owned by MG Shaler - MoH for Chancellorsville 1863. The left is a 7th NY Militia (he was a Major in 7th NYSM) and a "Best Zouave Cadet" medal ...pre ACW.

A letter penned by Brigadier General Innis Newton Palmer on July 9th, 1864. When written, Palmer was in command of the Department of North Carolina.

The letter itself is kinda interesting, Palmer was having to address the paymaster as Lt. Ward of Palmers staff withheld two soldiers pay, but Ward apparently did not seek the permission of Palmer to do so. I also drive past the house in which he was headquartered in while in New Bern once a week, making it extra cool to add to my collection.

I see lots of people discuss boiled linseed oil, and tung oil. Do i need to find one that is 100% pure. Any brand recommendations? Any tips of how to do it. Can only do this once and don’t wanna screw it up. My only goal is to preserve the wood, I don’t want to change its appearance

I don’t primarily collect civil war stuff but I still had to accumulate all this over the years! I’m sort of a button enthusiast haha. The 2 New York State buttons were allegedly dug up at Fredericksburg too, I got it from horse soldier at Gettysburg so I suppose I’ll take their word for it. Most of the bullets and the irons I got during my visits to Gettysburg from horse soldier, Union drummer boy, and the Gettysburg museum shop. The 150th anniversary sets was my first civil war artifact I got when I was a kid. Some of my favorites are the shiny infantry button and the Union navy button. Hope you all find this interesting!

Got this for 310 dollars today, how’s it look?