The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-09

WHITE HOUSE OF THE CONFEDER-
ACY USED As a MUSEUM.
4 Great Variety of Relics of the Lost
Cause Are Contained Within
It's Walls.
Memphis Commercial Appeal.

notable objects in Richmond. the capital of
the Confederate States, and has become
known far and wide as the White House
of the Confederacy."
Situated on Shocko 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 its present appro-
pirate uses-a museum wherein the hal
lowed relics of the past may be preserved
from generation to generation, and the
memories of that heroic struggle for lib
erty and home forever kept alive.
The city of Richmond purchased this
property in 1861, and upon regaining pos
session of it from the federal government,
in 1874 converted the mansion into a pub
lie white school, The historic mansion
served this purpose for many years, it be-
ing held fitting that the hearts and minds
of Southern children should be trained and
taught within its hallowed walls.
AS time rolled on, however the women
of the South talked about the need or a
Confederate museum. They banded togeth-
er, and after long and patient work raised
sufficient money to secure possession or the
building. Not a change in its architecture
was made but steps were promptly taken
to render it as nearly fireproof as possible
and to make it slightly in appearance.
The museum was formally opened in 1885,
and since that time the most valuable rel
les of every description have been secured.
Some of the more important relics are In
the Tennessee room, but all the southern
States are well 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 mansion will prove of intense
interest, recalling, as they do, men once
foremost in the fray, but long since gone
to their last account, as well as scenes of
peril and battlefelds where shot and shell
fell thick and fast.
SOME OF THE RELICS.
Some of the interesting relics to be found
in the Tennessee room are the following:
Purse and money used by Confederate
soldier. donated by Mrs. Wilson, of Men,
phis.
Saddlebags and sword belonging to John
Holleran, Sixty-third Tennessee Regiment.
Epaulets worn by General Banks.
Sash taken from federal officer at the
Sword from the battlefield of Chicka-
manga.
Picture of Mrs. ]. c. Laws, Mother of
Picture of Lieut.. Gen. N. B. Forrest, sent
by Confederate Historical Association 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.
There are, in addition, many other inter-
esting relics contributed by well-known
people of Tennessee.
The other rooms of the historical man.
sion also are rich in memories of the Con-
federacy, some Of the most striking, neatly
displayed in glass cases, being the follow
ing
The sword OF Major John Pelham, which
is loaned by Peter Pelham, of Atlanta,
nephew of Major Pelham, through Pelham
Blackford, to the Alabama room.
Major Pelham's commission as colonel,
which was sent to his family after he was
killed at Kilbys Ford, March II, 1863
The passport of Pelham, also his photo
graph, which presented by his niece,
Miss Neil of Newton county, Georgia
A small flag loaned by Pelham Black
sister of Tc Pelham ef fa S n o
ton county, Georgia) This flag was pre-
sented to Major Pelham by Miss Lizzie
A letter from Mr.. Benjamin to A. II. H.
Stuart, donated by his daughter, Mrs.
Hunter Mcclure, to Mrs. j. Taylor Ellyson,
for the Virginia room.
A picture of Aqua Church, Overwharton
parish. Stafford county Virginia, which,
during the civil war. was protected by Gen.
the federal soldiers injure it. This was pre-
sented by Mrs. George V. Moncure to the
Virginia room.
A picture of Gen Turner Ashby, taken in
1862; also, some of his horses hair, which
has been woven into a spray of flowers by
Miss Conrad of Winchester; also General
Ashby's bugle and sash.
GUN WITH A HISTORY.
Charles II. Read, in sending a collection
for the Virginia room. writes: 1.-The musket
was made during the war in Richmond. and
owes it's present condition to having been
knocked off my shoulders by piece of a
shell at the battle of Newmarket, May Is,
1864. as the corps of cadets. Virginia Mill
tary Instituted were advancing to make the
successful charge upon the federal battery
that broke their center and won the day for
the Confederate army. The same shell
wounded Capt. A. Govan Hill, of Company
c.; John c.. Wise, l. L. Merritt and myself.
The cartridge and cap boxes were those
wore on the occasion, and the cedar can
teen was one | wore around Richmond,
and was made In the Confederacy, when it
was impossible to get in"
A large collection of Confederate money,
from a 81, 900 certificate to a 1O-cent note.
Views of Castle Thunder, Libby prison,
and other historic places.
Wooden stirrups used by Gen. John II.
Military hat worn by General Barlow, of
Georgia.
A napkin that belonged to President Da-
Wis.
A piece of the tree under which Lee sur
rendered at Appomattox.
A piece OF zen. StOHeWdH JdchSOH army
desk.
The original Constitution of the Confed-
crate States.
A hat made by a Confederate girl ten
years of age
A piece of calico brought from England,
which sold for $40 yard in Confederate
money.
A piece of the woodwork of the Merri-
mac.
Portion of battle flag used in the fight
at Seven Pines.
The Georgia room contains one of the
most valuable relics in the collection 1t
is a sword presented by President Davis
to Capt. w. G.. Waller. Other very interest
ing relics in this room these:
Medallion of rock crystal containing locks
of the hair of President Davis, donated by
his daughter.
A large book filled with documents of
different kinds written and signed by Gen.
r. y. Lee
General Wheeler's army orders
Autographs of many distinguished Con-
federate officers
A collection of all the envelopes issued
during the war.
Book of photographs of scenes during the
war. containing camp scenes, noted battles
such as Manassas, Bull Run and Antietam
and other scenes OF events connected with
the great struggle.
A large collection of books, among them
war histories. history OF Georgia and a
number of works of fiction rebound hand
SOmely outside the original covers. Several
editions of works bound in wall DaDer at
Mobile during the war.
Schoolbooks for the children OF Dixie -
hound i'm the best material Obtainable at
/ that time.
: Probably no place in the South is more