The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-08-11
Jeff Davis' y ~
y y Old Home.

lfFS'hh IA Size, JEFFERSON INNlS uNeu rs
lpresident Of the Southern Confederacy, and
that mansion is today one OF the most
notable objects In Richmond, the capital
OF the Confederate States, and has become
known far aud wide as the "whi.e House
Of the Confederacyr
Situated on Shocked hill. il oyerlooks
great expanse Of country, and from the
broad porches tnat surround 1t the winding
river James can be zen for miles
The city Of Richmond purchased this
property in 1861, and upon regaIning pos
session Of II from tho Federal government
IN 1874 converted the mansion into a pub
lie white school The historic mansion
served this purpose for many years, 1t
being held fitting that the hearts and minds
OF Southern children should he trained and
taught within its hallowed walls.
AS time rolled on. however, the women
OF the South talked about the need of a
Confederate museum They banded 10
eether, and after long and patient work
raised sufficient money to secure posses
sion Of the building Not p change In it's
architecture was made, but ateps we're
promptly taken to render 1t as nearly fire-
proof as possible and 10 make It slightly in
appearance.
The museum was formally opened in
1895 and since that time the most valuable
relics OF every description have been Sc
cured
Some Of the more important relics are in
| the Tennessee room. but all the Sou hern
States are we'll represented.
| To those who participated In the four
years struggle ana are familiar with the
happenings of those strenuous days list
of the relics embraced within the walls OF
this historic mansion viii 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 hattle6elds where shot aud
she'll fell thick and fast.
Some Of the interesting articles to he
found in the Tennessee room are the fol
lowing
Purse and money used by Confederate
soldier donated by Mrs, Wilson of Mem
phis
saddlebags and sword belonging to John
Holleran, sixty-third Tennessee regiment.
Epaulets worn by General Banks.
Sash taken from a Federal officer az the
battle Of shiloh
Sword from the battlefield of chIcka.
manga.
Picture of Mrs. J, c, Laws, "Mother of
the Confederacy."
Picture of Lieutenant General n. b. For
rest, sent by Confederate Historical assa-
citation of Memphis
sword captured by Captain James Del-
Rims at the battle of Chckamauga and
used by him until the close of the war:
loaned by Mrs Scott Hyde Of Chatta-
uooga
There are In addition many other inter-
ostlng relics contributed by well known
people OF Tennessee.
~
The other rooms of the historical man
sIop also are rich in memories of the Con-
federacy, some OF the most striking, n at
~ displayed in glass cases, being the fol
lowing;
The sword of Major John Pelham, which |
Is loaned by Peter Pelham of Atlanta,
nephew Of Major Pelham through Pelham
Rlackford, to the Alabama room.
Major Pelham's commission as colonel, |
which was sent to his family after he was |
killed at Kilby's Ford, March II. 1863
The passport Of Pelham, also his photo. |
graph, which are presented by his nice, |
Miss Neil Of Newton county, Georgia
small nag loaned by Pelham Blackford, |
and which was given TO him by a sister
county, Ga1 This flag was presented to
Major Pelham by Miss Lizzie Letcher, a
daughter of Governor Letcher.
letter from Mr. Benjamin to A. H. II.
Stuart, donated by his daughter Mrs.
Hunter Mcclure, to Mrs. ]. Taylor Ellyson
for the Virginia room,
picture Of Aqua church, oyerwharton
parish, Stafford county Va, which during
the civil war was protected by General
vlnton of New York, who would not let
the Federal soldiers iniure It. This was
presented by Mrs. George v. Moncure to
the Virginia room.
A picture Of General Turner Ashby. taken
IN 1852; also some Of his horses hair,
which has been woven into spray Of flow
ers by Miss Conrad Of Winchester; also
General Ashby's hugle and sash
~
Charles II. Reed, in sending a collection
for the Virginia room, writes; The mus
ket was made during the war in Richmond
and owes its present condition to having
been knocked on my shoulders by piece
Of she'll at the battle of Newmarket
May 10, 1864, as the corps Of cadets Cvir-
ginia Military instituted were advancing
10 make the successful charge upon the
Federal battery that broke their center
and won the day for the Confederate army
The same shell wounded Captain A. Govan
Hill Of company c, John c. Wise L.
Merritt and myself. The cartridge and cap
boxes were those wore on the OCCASION
and the cedar canteen was one ] wore
around Richmond aud was made in the
Coufcderacy. when 1t was Impossible TO
get tin.
A large collection OF Confederate money,
from $1,000 certificate to l0cent note
Views Of Castle Thunder. Libby prison,
and other historic places.
Wooden stirrups used by General John
II. Morgan Of Kentucky
Military hat worn by General Barlow Of
Georgia.
napkin that belonged to President
Davis
piece of the tree under which Lee
surrendered at Appomattox
A piece Of General stonewall Jackscn's
army desk.
The original constitution OF the confed
crate States.
49, rad ~ a confadorata ,f.t ~