The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-16
CONFEDERATE MUSEUM.
,xryrrc Room ar THE MEMoRIAL
n,x1IR VIII FORM ITS NUCLEUS.
Man, valuable Relics and Curiosiaes From
All Sections Of the so"th-N"mero"'
R.roiui,cences From the Late War.

sNe rcImcnta aIineiy IL the EAtneIlbB
-, material and funds for the establish
,,out OK Confederate museum In the
.f5 Davis mansion. on Twelfth street.
a., this city. which has been used for
.,e accommodation OF the Central School.
..se building was owned by the city and
some time ago was handed over by the
..fy authorities TO the ladies who are at
,-csent In charge of the Bazaar.
cutie a number Of relics have already
heen received from the various States of
Tie south. and they have ali been arrang-
,l.a tasteful manner, and are now on
Nl.uuon in the tower room adjoining the
..ely in the armory building. The
r. however does not seem 10 be gen
orally known. for up 10 the present time
ais museum has not been patronizcd by
tee visitors OF the Bazaar as largely as
% had been expected. The small fee OF
gen cents which is charged TO enter this
room certainly should not prevent any
patriotic visitor from visiting a place
where collection OF various articles of
l.sh intrinsic value can be inspected in
Cd comparatively small space. Several Of
tac ladies who are in charge of the
museum are always on hand. and only
TOO willing 10 explain 10 the visitors the
nature and value OF the various relics.
being Of an investigating spirit, Of
course l did not fail TO take a ramble
through the museum of Confederate relics
un the second floor This department
is nothing less than library Of infor-
nation, and as soon as one enters hun
dreds of interesting trophies and souVe-
rirs command his attention.
one OF the most interesting relies TO be
seen in the museum is a large easy arm
chair. IN which Commander Buchanan
Witnessed on board the Merrimac the
heavy combat in Hampton Roads. The
chair is Of the olG-fashioned style, or
course. being made of mahogany wood,
and has a great deal OF fancy carving.
The struggles of the soldiers are well
Illustrated by a rude bowie-knife among
other things. which was made by one OF
the heroes who wanted TO tight but had
no arms lie accordingly fished up
piece Of iron from somewhere. and ham
mered Il out in the shape Of the knife,
showing that where there's a Will there's
Tx-President Davis displayed a great
deal Of taste in the selection Of his crock
cry while in Richmond The wine set
used ut the Executive Mansion in this
CIV during the war is both unique and
n.-Isome. The glasses are much larger
than those used now. but are none the
less pretty for that.
T- IS more than likely that people in
rH.ss days whose purses are limited do
r0t regret that they were not in existence
during the war; for II they could see the
POOR. little insignificant leather belt,
rnin and badly made for which a lady
ir lsf4 paid fifteen dollars. while admira-
ZION and sympathy for the self-sacrifce
ana nardships Of those who witnessed the
s.Terlngs of fathers, brothers and sons,
would be by no means lacking, they could
rot help congratulaung themselves that
they do not have to pay such prices now
for such unsatisfactory articles Of wear
iug apparel.
The silver Crays will at once recognize
the little straw-cutter on exhibition in
tho museum Loyal Confederate women
used these little contrivanceS for cutting
and plating straw into hats for the SOL
diors They didn't wear silk hats in those
DAYS Such hcadgear would have been
too tempting a target for Federal sharp
shooters.
on the left side Of the room is very
valuable bIst Of ex-President Davis,
which was made during the lifetime Of
Nfr. Davis by Gait. 1t is an admirable
likeness. and has been highly compli-
mented by competent critics. Miss Gait,
the sister Of the sculptor, sent the bust
20 Richmond to be sold, and the price is
thirty dollars. 1t can be purchased by
apnlying 10 Mr.. Pondexter, at the State
Libra ". and also duplicate Of the bust
I'm plaster.
n IS only natural that an enthusiastic
cx-Confederate should feel a thrill Of the
ola war spirit when he gazes upon the
glasses which were used by Generals
Jackson. Beauregard. Maury and others
at the first battle of Manassas. This was
given 10 the Bazaar by a Federal officer
Think Of how many military eyes nave
peered through these glasses and watched
with throbbing pulses the manoeuVres
az thousands OF heroes fighting. bleeding
and dying for their rights. Twas through
these glasses that schemes were laid by
that terror Of the enemy, Stonewal Jack
son. and many clever plot was con-
ceived. planned and executed through
the aid OF the now diapidated lenses
An interesting curio IS a fac smile
copy OF the last dispatch sent by Cen
eral Jackson. in which the grand old
war horse describes the position and
object Of the enemy near Chancellors-
Vile. and in his Characteristic way ex-
plains how he hoped 10 make an attack
as soon as possible. Duplicates Of this
letter can be purchased at the Virginia
booth.
one Of the most entertaining curios
in the museum is "A large picture OF
several ladies IN evening dress, showing
the STYLES that prevailed in 1861. The
Gowns stand out at such rate at the
bottom that IT IS needless TO say how
an acre. more or less. Of space is neces-
sarv for the ladies TO handle their skirts
with any degree OF satisfaction. The
STYLES Of 1861 seem in a fair way 10 be
revived. Judging from the heavy crinoline
raridly gaining in popularity, and this
will be a most effective way or Keeping
fresh I'm the minds Of the fair sex some
idea OF the customs that held full sway
FL the stormy days Of 1861.
Some highly interesting specimens or
music the themes Of which were suS-
rested by the last utterances Of dying
soldiers. were very interesting 10 me.
Then. there were any number OF relics
I'm the way Of Confederate flags. one or
which was a portion of the headquarter
Hae OF the Army Of Northern Virginia.
Yhis was cut of by General Lee at APP
romattox and given to Confederate
officer. who divided il with one OF his
feDow-soldicrs anxious 10 preserve a
cherished souvenir.
tmong the latest additions IL grape
shot tostefullv mounted in silver II has
lacn given In memoriam Of Major Robert
j. Arlnistead. Of the Twenty-second Ala
hama regiment. lie was educated al
William and Nary College. and studied
law under Judge n. i. Tucker. Nheh
the war broke out he entered as a private
ST. the Mobile Cadets, but after twelve
months he left that organization. and win