The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-07
THE CONFEDERATE MUSEUM
ESTABLISHED BY CAPE FEAR CHAPTER.
DAUGHTERS OF THE GONFEDERACY
Begun Scarcely a Year Ago, IL Has
Already Attained State Importance.
A Veritable Treasure House-Some
of tho Most Notable Relics The
Museum Management - Relics In
Absolutely Safe Keeplng--To Whom
Relics May BE Sent.

son tea at N Wilmington Light In
fantry armory, when SO many people
OF this city inspected the splendid con-
federate museum, manyS2f them for the
first time, the ladies Of the Cape Fear
Chapter, Daughters Of the Confederacy
have been the recipients of very many
compliments and heartily c~ongratula-
tions Upon the splendid success which
has attended their efforts to establish
a museum which shall be of state and
Interstate Importance. In fact, those
who have visited and inspected the
museum recently are unanimous in the
assertion that their aim, the establish
ment of a museum of widespread in
.terest and Importance, is already well
attained. From the incipiency of
their organization, the Cape Fear
Chapter, Daughters of the Confedera-
ICY had for an+objective point the col
lection and preservation Of relics of
the heroic struggle made by the south
lin the early sixties for southern indie
pendence. But it was only a little over
eighteen months ago, March 10, 1897,
that having received from the Whining
ton Light Infantry a most cordial ten
der of one Of the best rooms in their
armDry to be used for a museum, they
began the work which for so long a
time had been on their hearts-the es-
adjustment OF a confederate museum.
They placed very heavy iron gratings
at the windows, thereby making it very
secure, and had made glass cases in
which to preserve their precious mo-
mentos from dust and moths.
STOREHOUSE OF VALUABLE
RELICS.
Already the museum q large airy
and well appointed apartment, is well
filled with treasures of ineStimable
value, relics around which cluster con-
federate associations to convey eve
the most meagre idea of which you'd
require volume upon volume; relics
too, which, when the true history of
the heroic struggles of the valiant
soldiers and willingly imposed self
sacrifices and privations of the noble
women Of the south comes to be writ
ten, as it must certainly be ere long,
will play q most important part in
bringing to the attention of the his
torian Data vitality essential to a COM
plete and thoroughly truthful history.
SOME OF THE TREASURES.
Among the treasures in the museum
might be mentioned the Geographic
instrument which has in the days of
the civil war sent thrilling messages of
success, and, also, the last the sad mes
Sage Oh deledl. IL SldIlOS III Illt Ilu-
scum on the same rough pine table on
which it was mounted when in use by
the commanding general, w. H. G.
Whiting, in the house at the corner of
Market and Third streets, belonging to
the DeEosset family, and which was
the confederate headquarters. Also
can be seen Il cipher alphabet, which
was used to d~ecipher messages, in
tended only for initiated eyes. The Ia
dies nave appropriated one glass case
to the several articles, which belonged
to General Whiting, his uniform in per-
feet preservation, his sword, sash,
spurs, walking cane, hat, etc.
There is a minnie ball which passed
through a portion of Colonel William
l.. DeRosset's body and he found it in
his pants pocket. He had it mounted
in a gold case and placed III the mu-
scum. Also q pair of Mexican spurs
with tiny bells attached, to whose gin
gle he owed his life On one occasion
when he had gotten out of the confed-
crate ines and in the dusk of the eve
ming was returning. A confederate sol
dier hid in the thicket covered the Col
onel with his rifle, but before he fired
he thought he distinguished the pc
culiar ring of these Mexican spurs and
allowed the rider to get within recOg-
niZing distance before he shot. when
his surmise was confirmed.
There are many uniform coats, one
~OL IllCI-IOlOllCl Il hdllClI lhCo
the band of mourning worn at the fu-
neral of the lamented General l.. OBJ.
Branch
Another interesting feature is seve-
raj pictures of the battle of Fort
Fisher, taken by the Yankees while the
fight was going on. Three of these are
from different view points.
There are saddles, spurs, saddlebags,
,canteens, haversacks ard many other
things, about each of which cluster
incidents of great interest briefly out
lined upon placards which are attach
ed to the various articles and must be
seen to be fully appreciated.
There are a number of school books
printed for the Dixie children, thrill
ing experiences of those stirring times,
written by gifted authors, and other
books of historic interest.
There one may see arms and equip
ments with which the confederate ar
my fought-Captain James 1. Nets
sword, stained with what was for many
months thought to be his life blood;
Colonel Hedrick'S sword, made in the
-confederacy and presented to him by
his first command, n others borne
by as yalient hands, but with less OF
history attached to them.
In various cases abo the museum
are relics of the ashions in those days.
notably a bonnet for which was paid
$45, untrimmed. 1t is lined with the
lining from a flowing sleeve and trim
med with dyed silk, and graced the
head of a war time bride, with the
bonnet is exhibited a beautiful home
made feather fan.
A. VERITABLE PICTURE GALLERY
Besides the probably 1000 articles of
value which are exhibited in the cases
and on stands abou the museum the
walls have the appearance of a ver1-
table picture gallery. Their are por-
traits of Generals r. E. Lee. Stone
wal Jackson and w. H. c. Whiting
Then there are pictures Of many col
onels, majors, captains, heutenants,
and last, blu by no means least, a host
of gallant fellows who wore, the jacket
of gray without a stripe or a star.
There are portraits of General o
Johnson, Colonel CASTOR Meares, Col
onel William M. Parsley, Major James
A. Stevenson, Captain Brooks n
many Others. There is a picture OF the
"Water Witch" a Yankee bunboat. the
capture of which by Captain Joseph
Price, has zone dow in history as one
of the most dashing exploits OF our