Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-10-14
FAMOUS OLD MANSION IN
VIRGINIA'S CAPITAL.
FULL OF RARE MEMENToEs
Richmond Purchases the Home and
Changes 1t Into Museum
Important Relics in the Many
Rooms.

appearance but imposing in size Jeffe2-
son Davis lived as president of the
southern confederacy, and that man
sion is today one of the most notable
objects in Richmond, the capital
of the confederate states. and has be-
come known far and wide as the
white house of the confederacy.
Situated on Shocked hill. it overlooks
a great expanse of country, and from
the broad porches that surround it the
winding river James can be seen for
miles.
While the home of Jefferson Davis
is known to every southerner, but
little has been written of that noble
band of women who have converted
it to it's present appropriate uses-a
museum wherein the hallowed relics
of the past may be preserved from
generation to generation, and the
memories of that heroic struggle for
liberty and home forever kept alive.
The city Of Richmond purchased
this property in 1861, and upon re-
gaining possession Of it from the
federal government in 1874 converted
the mansion into a public white
school. The historic mansion served
this purpose for many years, it being
held fitting that the hearts and minds
of southern children should be trained
and taught within it's hallowed walls.
AS time rolled on, however, the
women Of the south talked about the
need of confederate museum. They
banded together, and after long and
patient work raised sufficient money
to secure possession of the building
Not a change in it's architecture was
made, but steps we're promptly taken
to render it as nearly fireproof as pos
sible and to make it slightly in appear
ance. The museum was formally
opened in 1895, and since that time
the most valuable relics of every de-
scription have been secured.
Some of the more important relics
are in the Tennessee room, but all the
southern states are we'll represented.
To those who participated in the four
years struggle and are familiar with
the happenings of those strenuous
days a list Of the relics embraced
within the walls of this historic man
sion will prove of intense interest.
recalling, as they do, men once fore
most in the fray, but since gone TO
their last account, as we'll as scenes
Of peril and battlefelds where shot
and shell fell thick and fast.
Some Of the interesting articles to
be found in the Tennessee room are
the following
Purse and money used by con-
federate soldier, donated by Mrs.
Wilson of Memphis.
Saddlebags and sword belonging TO
John Holleran, 63d Tennessee regi-
ment.
Epaulets worn by Gen. Banks.
Sash taken from federal officer ut
the battle of Shiloh
Sword from the battlefield of Chick
amauga.
Picture of Mrs. j. c. Laws. Mother
Of the confederacy."
Picture of Lieut-Gen. N. B. Forrest.
sent by confederate historical associa-
ton of Memphis.
Sword captured by Capt James
Deakins at the battle of Chickamauga
and used by him until the close of the
war; loaned by Mrs. Scott Hyde Of
Chattanooga.
The other rooms of the historical
oil wi IN i1c Oq
the confederacy, some of the most
striking, neatly displayed in glass
cases, being the following
The sword of Maj. John Pelham,
which is loaned by Peter Pelham of
Atlanta, nephew of Maj. Pelham
through Pelham Blackford, to the
Alabama room.
Maj. Pelham's commission as
colonel, which was sent to his family
after he was killed at Kilby's Forl,
March II. 1863.
The passport of Pelham, also his
photograph, which are presented by
his niece, Miss Nell of Newton county.
Ga.
A small flag loaned by Pelham
Blackford, and which was given to him
by a sister of Maj. Pelham MRS. Neil
of Newton county, Ga.). This flag
was presented to Maj. Pelham by Miss
Lizzie Letcher, daughter of Gov
Letcher.
A letter from Mr.. Benjamin to "A. H.
H. Stuart, donated by his daughter,
Mrs. Hunter Mcclure to Mrs. j.
Taylor Ellyson for the Virginia room
A picture of Acquia church, Over
wharton parish, Stafford county, Va,
which during the civil war was pro
tected by Gen. Vinton of New York,
who would not let the federal soldiers
injure it, This was presented by Mrs
George V. Moncure to the Virginia
room.
A picture Of Gen. Turner Ashby.
taken in 1862; also some Of his horse s
hair, which has been woven into a
spray Of flowers by Miss Conrad IT
Winchester: also Gen. Ashbv's bugIe