SOLD Items
Photographs
127 Pennsylvania Infantry Fredericksburg Monument Photographs and Badge

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Offered is a wonderful collection of items from the 1906 monument dedication of the 127th Pennsylvania Infantry at Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The collection included the monument dedication badge, a photo of the members of the 127th Pennsylvania veterans around the monument wearing the badge, a lone photo of the monument, and a purple ribbon from Sergt. S. G. Sheaffer.  The badge hanger has a silver colored metal with a celluloid strip in the middle with "127th PA. VOLS." written on it.  Three ribbons are attached to the hanger.  The back ribbon is a red, white, and blue ribbon.  Written on the ribbon in silver colored ink is "DEDICATION FREDERICKSBURG VIRGINIA JUNE 26, 1906".  The second ribbon is a blue color and is a shorter ribbon.  The top ribbon is a red, white, and blue  ribbon with a large celluloid drop attached.  On the celluloid drop is the likeness of the 127th Pennsylvania monument at Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The badge was made by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. 

There are two photographs.  The first photograph is of members of the 127th Pennsylvania Infantry veterans surrounding the monument.  Each veteran is wearing the monument dedication badge. This photograph is 12 inches wide and 10 inches tall border to border.  The actual photograph is 9 1/8 inches wide and 6 7/8 inches tall.  The second photograph is of the 127th Pennsylvania Infantry monument in Fredericksburg by itself.  Both photographs were made by L. Mumper, Photographer, 7 Stratton Street, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as noted by the photographer stamp on the back of each photograph.  The monument photograph is 12 inches tall and 10 inches wide.  The actual photograph is 7 7/8 inches tall and 6 inches wide.

The fourth piece of this collection is a purple ribbon.  Written in gold colored ink on the ribbon is "MY FATHER'S G.A.R. -BUTTON- SERGT. S.G. SHEAFFER, CO. I, 127th PENNA. VOL. INFTRY.".  The ribbon is approximately 11 inches tall and 3 inches wide.  It is very hard to find the badge and the photograph of any monument dedication. 

Charles H. Shaw, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery CDV

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Offered is an image of Charles H. Shaw, Company E, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.  Shaw enlisted in July 1861 as a private.  He re-enlisted November 25, 1863.  He was listed as a POW at Petersburg, Virginia on June 22, 1864.  He was exchanged December 1, 1864 and mustered out on August 8, 1865 in Washington, DC.  The image is a bust photograph and is signed in period ink on the back of the carte "Charles H Shaw".  The photographer is R.W. Addis, Photographer, 308 Penna. Avenue, Washington, D.C. as noted by the photographers stamp on the back. 













































































































Surgeon William P. Davis, 10th iowa Infantry CDV

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Offered is an image of Surgeon William P. Davis of the 10th Iowa Infantry.  The image shows Davis in an officers frock coat.  Written on the front of the image is "William P. Davis - Surgeon 10th Regt. Iowa Vol. - 1813 - 1867".  Written on the back of the CDV is "William P. Davis son of John Davis and his wife, Elizabeth Colehur.  Served in the Civil War, was elected state senator in Iowa, 1857.  1813 (?) - 1867 - Surgeon 10th Regt. Iowa Vol. Civil War".

10th Iowa Infantry
in the American Civil War

Regimental History
Tenth Iowa Infantry, — Cols., Nicholas Perczel, Paris P. Henderson; Lieut.-Cols., William E. Small, Nathaniel McCalla, William H. Silsby; Majs., John C. Bennett, Nathaniel McCalla, Robert Lusby. This regiment was organized at Camp Fremont, near Iowa City, in the summer and fall of 1861. Eight companies were mustered in on Sept. 6 and 7, one was mustered in on the 28th, and one on Oct. 13. The regiment received its equipment at St. Louis and moved to Cape Girardeau, where it went into camp. In the early part of November it was ordered to Bloomfield to drive out Jeff Thompson's force, but found it gone on its arrival. Taking possession of a large amount of property left by Thompson, it returned to Cape Girardeau, and in December went into winter quarters at Bird's Point. On Jan. 8, 1862, it marched by night toward Charleston for the purpose of capturing a body of the enemy said to be there. While passing through a dense forest it was surprised by an attack from ambush, but recovered from its confusion and dispersed the enemy. It took part in the siege of New Madrid, then engaged in the operations about Island No. 10, accompanied the command to Corinth and took an important part in the engagements about that place. It was engaged at the battle of Iuka, and in the battle of Corinth in October it fought with Sullivan's brigade, winning golden opinions for its telling work. It moved to Oxford in November, intending to take part in the movement upon Vicksburg, but the surrender of Holly Springs with its stores compelled a change of plans, and it marched to Memphis where it spent the winter. A number of changes were made during the time between its service in Missouri and its arrival in Memphis; Maj. Bennett resigned near the close of 1861 and was succeeded by Capt. McCalla; Col. Perczel resigned in Nov., 1862, and Capt. Henderson was commissioned to succeed him; in 1863 Maj. McCalla succeeded Lieut.-Col. Small, resigned, and Capt. Robert Lusby was made major. The regiment accompanied the Yazoo Pass expedition in the spring of 1863 and after that moved to Milliken's bend. It was in the battle of Raymond and at Jackson its division bore the brunt of the fight. It was in Col. Boomer's brigade, which pushed in at a critical moment when Hovey's division was falling back, and by desperate fighting saved him from rout, thus gaining time for Crocker to advance other troops, turn the tide and save the day. The loss was terrible, the 10th leaving its dead in profusion and the brigade being cut to pieces. It took part in the assault on Vicksburg May 22, making two charges and losing heavily. Col. Boomer, commanding the brigade, was killed and Col. Matthies succeeded him. After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment took part in the siege of Jackson and then went into camp. It was ordered to Chattanooga in the latter part of September, was engaged at Missionary ridge with its brigade, being in some of the fiercest fighting in that battle and losing heavily. It went into winter quarters at Huntsville, Ala., and in Feb., 1864, reenlisted as a veteran organization. In the latter part of April the regiment relieved Dodge's division at Decatur, and in June it visited Iowa on veteran furlough. Upon its return in July it was stationed near Kingston, Ga., on railroad guard duty. It took part in two expeditions against Wheeler, the second through Tennessee and northern Alabama, the entire movement taking the command on a march of nearly 1,000 miles. In October it aided in holding Resaca against Hood's forces until Sherman's pursuing column came up. It joined the march to Savannah and took part in the campaign of the Carolinas. It crossed the Salkehatchie river in company with the 56th Ill., wading waist deep in the face of a body of the enemy posted behind earthworks, and drove them from their position. It was engaged at Columbia and again at Cox's bridge near Bentonville. It participated in the grand review at Washington, thence to Louisville and to Little Rock, Ark., where it was mustered out Aug. 15, 1865. Its original strength was 913; gain by recruits, 114; total 1,027.

James W. Beck - 33 Indiana Infantry CDV

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Offered is an image of James W. Beck, Company E, 33rd Indiana Infantry.   The image ia a waist up photograph of Beck in his Union uniform.  Written in period ink on the back of the imge is "Jas. W. Beck - Co. E, 33 Ind. Regt".  Beck mustered in to the 33rd Indiana Infantry in September 1861 and re-enlisted in January 1864.  He mustered out in July 1865 in Louisville, Kentucky.  He was promoted to Corporal

Regimental History
Thirty-third Indiana Infantry. — Cols., John Coburn, James E. Burton; Lieut. -Cols., James M. Henderson, James E. Burton, John P. Niederauer; Majs., William J. Manker, Levin T. Miller, John P. Niederauer, John C. Maze. This regiment was organized at Indianapolis and was mustered in Sept. 16, 1861. It left the state Sept. 28, and at Camp Dick Robinson reported to Gen. Thomas. On Oct. 13 it broke camp for Crab Orchard, thence to Camp Wild Cat, where it engaged and defeated Zollicoffer's forces. It then moved back to Crab Orchard, where it remained until April 11, 1862, then joined Gen. George W. Morgan's forces and was engaged in the movements resulting in the capture of Cumberland gap in June. It then took part in the marches and skirmishes in eastern Tennessee until the gap was evacuated in September. The regiment was in various movements until Danville was reached, camping there until the last of Jan., 1863, and then marching to Louisville, Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin. In March it fought Van Dorn's forces near Columbia, and was engaged at Thompson's station, where about 400 of the regiment were captured and nearly 100 killed and wounded. The prisoners were paroled and about two months later were exchanged and joined the regiment. During this time the balance of the regiment remained at Franklin and was in numerous engagements in that vicinity. About the first of July it moved towards Tullahoma; was in the advance on Shelbyville; was stationed at Manchester, Estill Springs, Cowan, Decherd and Tracy City during September and October, and moved to Christiana in November. The regiment enlisted as a veteran organization in Jan. and Feb., 1864, and returned home on furlough. It joined Sherman's army in the spring and took part in the advance upon and siege of Atlanta, being engaged at Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church, Golgotha, Kolb's farm, Kennesaw mountain, Marietta and Peachtree creek, and was then before Atlanta until the surrender. It was in the engagement at Turner's ferry in August and drove a brigade out of Atlanta Sept. 2, when the mayor surrendered the city to Col. Coburn. The regiment's loss during this campaign was more than 300 in killed and wounded. It remained in camp until Nov. 15, then accompanied the army to Savannah, was in camp there until Jan. 2, 1865, and then took part in the march through the Carolinas, being engaged at Averasboro, and Bentonville. It was at Goldsboro from March 23 to April 10, and at Raleigh until May 1. It then proceeded to Washington, via Richmond, and moved to Louisville in June. While at Washington a part of the 27th, 70th and 85th regiments were assigned to the 33d, and the whole was mustered out at Louisville July 21, 1865. The original strength of the regiment was 948; gain, by recruits, 1,378; reenlistments, 449; total, 2,775. Loss by death, 267; desertion, 113; unaccounted for, 117.Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3

Armed CDV of Lt./Capt. George W. Eyestone, 11 Indiana Infantry & 46 USCT

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Offered is an image of George W. Eyestone as an officer.  Eyestone started his Civil War career as a private in the 11th Indiana Infantry in August 1861.  He fought with the 11th Indiana Infantry until  October, 1863 when he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of the 46th United States Colored Troop.  Eyestone was promoted in September 1864 to Captain.  He mustered out January 30. 1866.

The image has Eyestone dressed as an officer standing with his sword.  The photographer was D.P. Barr, Army Photographer, Palace of Art, Vicksburg, Miss. as noted on the rear of the card.  The photo has clipped corners.  This image does not have any identification but I owned a similar image in my collection which was ink signed.  A copy of my collection image will be included with the Civil War image.  The copy image is the third scan on the listing.

11th Regiment Infantry "Wallace's Zouaves" (3 Years)

Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., August 31, 1861. Moved to Paducah, Ky., September 6, and duty there until February 5, 1862. Attached to 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Tennessee, February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. Helena, Ark., District of East Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of the Tennessee, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 12th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to February, 1863. 1st Brigade, 12th Division, 13th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to August, 1863, and Dept. of the Gulf to June, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, to August, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, to January, 1865. 2nd Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Operations against Forts Henry and Heiman, Tenn., February 2-6, 1862. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 12-16. Expedition to Clarksville, Tenn., February 19-21. Expedition toward Purdy and operations about Crump's Landing, Tenn., March 9-14. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Occupation of Corinth and pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 3. March to Memphis, Tenn., June 3-20, and duty there until July 24. Ordered to Helena, Ark., July 24, and duty there until April, 1863. Expedition from Helena to Arkansas Post, Ark., November 16-21, 1862. Expedition from Helena to Grenada, Miss., November 27-December 5. Tallahatchie November 30. Mitchell's Cross Roads December 1. Moved to Milliken's Bend, La., April 14. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Port Gibson May 1. 14-Mile Creek May 12-13. Battle of Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Duty at Vicksburg until August 6. Ordered to New Orleans, La., August 6; thence to Brasher City, and duty there until October. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30. Bayou Cortableau October 21. Carrion Crow Bayou November 3. Regiment Veteranize January 1, 1864. Veterans on furlough March 4 to May 8. Duty in District of LaFourche and Defenses of New Orleans, La., until May. At New Orleans, La., until July 19. Ordered to Washington, D. C., July 19. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 7-November 28. Battle of Opequan, Winchester, September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. Woodstock September 23. Mt. Jackson September 23-24. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Duty in the Shenandoah Valley until January, 1865. Duty at Fort Marshall, Baltimore, Md., January 7 to July 26, 1865. Mustered out July 26, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 114 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 170 Enlisted men by disease. Total 288.






Jonathan Pickerel - 48 Indiana Infantry - 49 USCT Infantry CDV

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Offered is an image of Lt. Jonathan Pickerel.  Pickerel started his Civil War career when he mustered in Co. C, 48 Indiana Infantry in January 1862 as Corporal.  In June 1863 he was discharged for promotion to the 49th Untied State Colored Troop.  He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on June 1, 1863.  He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on April 1, 1864.  He resigned December 22, 1864.

The image has a bust shot of Pickerel as an officer.  The back mark is Washington Gallery, Odd Fellow's hall, Vicksburg, Miss. as noted on the rear of the CDV.  The image is not marked in anyway but included is another copy image of Pickerel wearing a tam hat which is signed.  This printed copy comes with the CDV.

General Rufus Ingalls Albumen

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Offered is a Civil War image of General Rufus Ingalls.  The actual image is a CDV size of 2 5/16 inches wide and 3 1/4 inches wide.  The backing the photo is attached to is 5 1/2 inches wide and 7 inches tall.  General Ingalls was probably the only officer in the Army of the Potomac who provided every commander of that corp great satisfaction.  Ingalls graduated from West Point and served in the Mexican war where he served with his friend and intimate U.S. Grant.  He had an interesting career in the prewar army.  Early in the war Ingalls was appointed chief quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac and he retained that position for all of the war.  Not an easy task with many of the generals coming and going.  Ingalls served for 40 years and died in 1893.

Bosque County, Texas UCV Photograph

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Offered is a great photograph of Confederate veterans in Bosque County, Texas.  There are fourteen Confederate veterans sitting in front of a store.  A couple of veterans are wearing Southern Crosses of Honor.  There are at least two veterans wearing 1902 Dallas, Texas UCV national badges.  Several other ribbons and badges are worn by the other Confederate veterans.  The photograph is mounted on a hard board.  The board is approximately 10 15/16 inches long and 8 ½ inches tall.  The photograph is 9 ½ inches long and 7 ¾ inches tall. 

I found a copy of this photograph in the Liljenquist Family Collection in the Library of Congress.  The photograph had all the veterans identified.  I have made a copy of this and included it with the photograph. 

 


Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia Monument Dedication 1914 Photograph

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Offered is a photograph of a monument dedication held in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.  There are at least three Confederate veterans in the photograph.  Also in the photograph are at least one Grand Army of the Republic member and several other men dressed in military uniforms.  A wreath lies next to the monument.  Written on the monument is “Memorial to the Confederate Women of Virginia 1861 – 1865 -   The legislature of Virginia of 1914, Has at the solicitation of Ladies Hollywood Memorial Association and United Daughters of Confederacy of Virginia, Placed in perpetual care this section where lie buried Eighteen thousand Confederate soldiers.”  The monument is located at the Confederate pyramid monument in the cemetery.

The photograph is mounted on a gray card.  The card is approximately 7 1/8 inches long by 5 inches tall.  The photograph is approximately 5 5/8 inches long by 3 11/16 inches tall.  


UCV Veterans at West Point, Virginia Photograph

SOLD!!!

A nice photograph of nine Confederate veterans seated in front of the State Bank in West Point, Virginia.  There are four veterans standing and five veterans sitting.  I counted at least four Southern Crosses  and there are other badges on these veterans.  The Confederate veterans are identified on the back of the photograph.  Written in pencil on the back of the photograph is “Top row – Left to Right – Churchhill Cook, Mayo, Reed, King  - (Bottom Row) McGeorge, Edmund, Martin, Fogg, Dr. Munn”.  Also written in ink on the back of the photograph is “Last of the old Vets ___?___?!  taken in West Point in front of State Bank”.  The photograph is approximately 5 9/16 inches wide and 3 ¾ inches tall.  There are some bends in the photograph.  Please look at the photographs.


Peter B. Epes, 3rd Virginia Cavalry Photograph

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Offered is a nice photograph of Peter B. Epes of the 3rd Virginia Cavalry.  Epes enlisted on February 2, 1863 and was paroled on April 16, 1865.  He was wounded twice.  The first time at Mitchell's Shop, Virginia on May 9, 1864 and the second wound was taken on January 15, 1865 at a place not specified.  
The photo has Epes standing in his United Confederate Veterans uniorm.  He is wearin three UCV badges.  One appears to be the Gettysburg Virginia monument badge!  The photo is approximately 6 inches by 4 inches.  Epes or Eppes as his decindents spelled his name, is in a full standing pose.   

General U.S. Grant Full Standing CDV

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Offered is a nice image of General U.S. Grant.  Grant is standing and is wearing a mourning ribbon for President Abraham Lincoln.     Written under the image is “Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant”.  There is no back mark.


General William Woods Averell CDV

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Offered is a CDV of General William Woods Averell.  Averell graduated West Point in 1851 and had two years rugged service against the southwestern Indians, during which he was severly wounded.  He invalided out until the outbreak of the Civil War.  He took part in the first battle of Manassass and was then commisioned Colonel of the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry.  He participated in the Peninsular campaign as commander of a brigade; in the campaign which culminated at Sharpsburg; at Fredericksburg, in December, 1862; and in various skirmishes of the mounted branch of the Army of the Potomac.  His 2nd Cavalry Division won the first claimed victory of the Federal horse over the COnfederates at Kelly's Ford, Virginia, in March, 1863 - an action said to have been the turning point of cavalry fighting in the Eastern theater.  Meanwhile he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers on September 26, 1862.  After taking part in George Stoneman's famous but ill-starred raid on Richmond during the campaign of Chancellorsville, Averell was employed in monor operations in western Virginia until Philip Sheridan's Shenandoah campaign.  At the end of the war he was brevetted brigadier and Major general, U.S. Army, and resigned on May 18, 1865.

The image is a bust shot of Averell in a brigadiers uniform.  The backmark is "Photographed by Ewing & Co., Cumberland, MD.".  The upper right back corner is missing a small amount of the backing card.  This does not affect the image.

Camp Chase, Ohio POW Confederate Monument Dedication Photograph

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Offered is an outstanding photograph of the Confederate monument dedication at Camp Chase, Ohio POW cemetery.  This hard to find photograph has the monument with a banner saying "AMERICANS" over it with American flags.  Rifles are stacked in the front of the photograph.  What looks like Ohio National guard are on either side of the monument.  W.H. Knauss and W.B. Albright are shaking hand to the right of the monument.  On an attached slip of paper on the back of the photograph, it says "W.H. Knauss the Union soldier, presenting a bouquet of flowers - as God's token of love for mankind - to W.B. Albright the Confederate soldier.  Guns stacked, war over, let all enmity and prejudice cease and let peace prevail all over the land of the brave.  Stamped on the back of the photograph is "Duplicates of this Photo 25 cents, each prepaid. C.L. Johnston. 74 1/2 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio.".  The photographer Johnson and W.H. Knauss signed the photograph in the right bottom corner.  At the monument dedication the zinc Confederate soldier was not attached.  This is the part of the statue that has recently been defaced.  The actual photograph is approximately 8 inches by 6 1/8 inches.  The board portion of the photograph is approximately 10 1/8 inches by 7 1/8 inches.  There is a thin wooden support to the top of the photograph.  

WILLIAM H. KNAUSS (1839-1912)

Civil War veteran and binder of a nation's wounds

A century ago, 358 E. 15th Ave. was the home of a noteworthy Columbus citizen and American patriot, William H. Knauss.

Back in 1861, 22 year old William Knauss jumped at the opportunity to join the Union Army. Within weeks of the attack on Fort Sumter, Knauss was mustered into the 2nd New Jersey Infantry and off to war. The 2nd was on the field at Second Bull Run (August 1862) and Antietam (September 1862) but the soldiers saw their first real action at The Battle of Fredericksburg in December.

The battle was a folly and a slaughter. Even though the battle's objective was already lost, foolish general Ambrose Burnside committed Union forces to repeated head-on assaults across an open field and up a hill in the face of dug-in and well-armed Confederate defenders. The result was a massacre. Union forces were mowed down by Confederate artillery and rifle fire. The senseless carnage was so great that Confederates reportedly begged the advancing Union troops to stop and save their lives.

On the terrible day of December 13, 1862, over 1,200 Union soldiers were killed and more than 9,000 wounded.

Among the wounded was William Knauss.

A shell fragment struck him in the face. An inch to one side and he would have been killed. He bore an ugly scar from the wound for the rest of his life.

W.h. Knauss

Knauss carried something else away from the battle. For many years, W.H. nursed a hatred for the Rebels who had slaughtered his comrades and fired the shell that nearly ended his life.

All that changed on a business trip to North Carolina in 1868.

Knauss met a fellow veteran of Fredericksburg. The man was a Confederate and he had lost his leg in the fight. He and the Southerner became friends and shared their memories of that blood-soaked December day. Knauss came to see the Confederate soldiers as brothers who had suffered in the war just as he had. When he and his new friend parted, they pledged to each do their best to look after the other's comrades if ever they were in a position to help.

In 1892, Knauss moved to Columbus. He and his son-in-law began buying, selling, and developing real estate. They were successful and built up considerable wealth. In 1893, Knauss built a fine home on E. 15th Ave., one of the first in the University District.

One fateful day, business took Knauss out on Sullivant Ave. on the western edge of the city. There he saw the sad condition of the Camp Chase Cemetery.

During the Civil War, Camp Chase had been a prisoner-of-war camp for Confederates. It stretched from W. Broad south to Sullivant and from Hague Avenue east to Demorest. At its peak, it had been home to nearly 10,000 Confederate prisoners-of-war. A smallpox epidemic in 1863 and overcrowding and a hard winter in 1864-65 took its toll on the inmates. When the war ended and the POWs returned home they left behind more than 2,000 dead.

After the war’s end, the camp cemetery was forgotten. Bitterness among Union veterans and politicians made care of Confederate graves an unpopular cause. Weeds and briars grew high on the grounds. Wooden grave markers rotted away. Gophers and rabbits made their homes among the decaying monuments. Developers cast greedy eyes on the acreage and wondered how it might be converted to more profitable use.

Knauss was appalled and began the project that would become his life’s work.

He argued that the fallen husbands, sons, and brothers of Camp Chase deserved better. The war was over and North and South were reunited. All were Americans now and brothers:

They were American citizens, they were men, they had mothers and sisters, some had wives and children, all praying to one God and Father; and O how many a prayer went up that these unfortunate dead might be returned to their homes! Alas! the fate of war decreed otherwise and where their bodies lie is in many instances unknown to their loved ones... If I were in the South and saw an ex-Confederate do honor to an unknown Union soldier's grave, I would say with all my soul" "God bless you and yours forever!"

He wrote to politicians, complained in letters to the editor, contacted Southern veterans associations, toured and lectured, raised funds, spent freely from his own pockets, and even put his own back to work in the cause of restoring the cemetery to a decent condition.

In 1895, Knauss conducted the first Memorial Day ceremonies on the grounds with little more than his own family in attendance.

His campaign was not a popular one in the North. Though the war was thirty years past, feelings still ran high. Union widows and orphans attacked him as a traitor. Survivors of the inhumane Southern prisoner-of-war camps asked how he could forget their suffering. Northern veterans' groups were openly hostile. Knauss lost business and received threats of violence and even death.

Decoration Day ceremonies 1898 from Knauss' book The Story of Camp Chase (1906).

His patriotism was questioned. An ad hoc committee formed among legislators at the Statehouse and demanded he present himself and give an account of his actions. He refused. They threatened him with dire consequences he did not cease his activities.

Several times, guards had to be posted at the cemetery against threats of vandalism. Once, attackers threatened to destroy the place with dynamite.

Despite this, Knauss persevered and his campaign bore fruit. The weeds and brush were cut and arrangements made to have the grounds cared for. Flowers and ornamental trees contributed by Southern states were planted. A solid stone wall was erected around the burying ground. Rotted or decaying wooden markers were replaced with stone ones.

Each year, Knauss arranged a memorial service at the grounds on Memorial Day. Each year, the size of the audience in attendance grew. Each year, more local and state notables were willing to appear. In 1897, the mayor was in attendance. In 1900, the governor came and said a few words.

In 1897, an inscribed boulder was placed there as a collective memorial. The text read "2,260 Confederate Veterans of the War 1861-1865 Buried in This Enclosure." In 1902, a memorial arch inscribed simply “Americans” was added as tribute to the fallen.

Camp Chase Cemetery

After the dedication of the arch in 1902, an aging Knauss turned over preservation of the cemetery and organization of the annual memorial to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. He wasn't quite done though. His travels and encounters had made him something of an expert on the camp. In 1906, he published The Story of Camp Chase, the definitive history on the subject. Based on diaries, letters, and interviews with prisoners and guards, the book chronicles the story of life in the POW camp. It tells of the inmates' loneliness, hardships, privations, disease, escapes, attempted escapes, conspiracies, occasional moments of joy and fellowship, and the ever-present mud. The volume also records the history of Knauss' efforts to restore and preserve the burying ground.

Knauss spent the rest of his years supporting various patriotic causes. It’s said he spent much of the remainder of his fortune providing free American flags to any school that wrote him to ask for one.

In 1917, at the age of 77, Knauss died in his 15th Ave. home. He was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery beneath a monument commemorating his military service

A few months earlier, Confederate Veteran magazine remembered Knauss thusly:

...the men and women of the South always speak one name with tender reverence and admiration, that of Col. W. H. Knauss, of this city. We call him great and good, with his patriotic heart overleaping all the prejudices and passions of war and inaugurating the decoration of these once neglected graves and pleading for a wider and broader spirit and for writing over their dust the magic word "Americans." There is no place in all the Southland where the name of Colonel Knauss does not evoke the affectionate remembrance of its people.

In 1922, the United Daughters of the Confederacy placed a plaque at the entrance to the cemetery honoring Knauss' memory


General E. Kirby Smith CDV

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Offered ia a nice CDV of General E. Kirby Smit.  General Smith is wearing his COnfederate generals uniform in the image.  The backmark on the image is E.&H.T. Anthony, New York.

Born in St. Augustine Florida, Edmund Kirby Smith was educated at the United States Military Academy, where he graduated in 1845.  After graduation, Smith served in the Mexican-American War with distinction, participating in the battles at Cerro Gordo and Contreras.  After the war, he served as a Professor of Mathematics at West Point before being sent west to participate in the Indian Campaigns.  Smith was in Texas with the 2nd Cavalry when war broke out in 1861.  At first Smith refused to surrender to Texas militia, but his loyalties changed once Florida seceded Smith resigned from the United States Army, and entered the Confederate army with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Edmund Kirby Smith was quickly commissioned as a brigadier general within the Confederate army, and served at the First Battle of Manassas, where he was seriously injured.  After recovering, he was sent west to command the Army of East Tennessee.  Fighting alongside Braxton Bragg in his invasion of Kentucky, Smith led his army to victory at Richmond on August 30, 1862.  In early 1863, he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Department and tasked with helping halt the Union’s advance on the Mississippi River.  In early 1864, he successfully repulsed the Red River Campaign led by Nathaniel Banks, but as a result of his isolated location, could do little more.  He finally surrendered his troops, one of the last to do so, on May 26, 1865 to General E. R. S. Canby.


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Your satisfaction and happiness is our major concern.  We will be glad to refund your purchase price if you are not happy with your purchase if returned within fifteen days of your receipt.
 
You can order through our web site or you can call 803-431-1798 for your order.  Sales are complete when we confirm items are still in stock.
 
We ship using the United States Post Office.
 
 
Featured Item
1st Tennessee Cavalry Identified Veteran Card

$265.00
Catalog update 02/09/24
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