The best gift I ever bought for myself was the Golden Book of the Civil War. I remember it as a kid and looking back on the text brings back memories of a different era and perspective, as well as the reference!.
That’s it for me too. I was 10 years old when my parents gave me the book, although I think I had already read a copy for the library. I used to set up my toy soldiers like the diorama maps in the book. That started my interest in the Civil War that still continues 59 years later.
For my 70th birthday, my youngest son gave me a replica Navy Colt. I have written a book (Mosby’s Raids in Civil War Northern Virginia) and it is the main pistol that Colonel Mosby used during the Civil War.
Specially my son and daughter had a brick, inscribed with my name, placed in the central square of Gettysburg. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I ever received. Chocked me up in fact. And now I have another reason to visit Gettysburg (as if one needs another), to visit my brick.
I bought my 1863 Springfield rifle with ramrod and bayonet at a Civil War show that runs twice a year. I wanted one for a long time and the opportunity came about. I have it proudly hung between my tv and a shelve so I can see it everyday. I am so happy to have one of these. Thought the chance would never come.
William Britian’s Civil war miniatures. I recreated the battle of Fort Stevens in my office under a map of the battle. It’s a great ice breaker when meeting new clients.
We were in Gettysburg a couple of weeks ago for their Christmas Festival, and we saw, and bought, a really cool looking glass decanter that looks like a rifle. It has glasses with a bullet casing embedded within the glass. It’s already proven to be a good conversation piece. And the bourbon we put in it tastes great!
An envelope signed by William T. Sherman, along with his postwar calling card, from his time as general-in-chief, giving his Washington, D.C. address.
Either that or a signature of Winfield Scott Hancock, dating from wartime as he gives his rank as “Maj. Genl. US Vols.”
The most remarkable Civil War-connected gift I’ve ever received is the diary written by my great-granduncle, a Federal private who was killed in action. Upon his death, his body and diary were never recovered, but this gift he left for his family was accidentally rediscovered in an old archive 160 years later – in near perfect condition. Upon examination, the mystery of its disappearance was solved: the diary had been taken from his body by a Confederate officer, grandson of one of America’s greatest Founding Fathers, who completed the last six months of entries in the book. He survived the war despite twice being seriously wounded, and the diary remained in his family for over a century before narrowly escaping destruction, then beginning its journey back to my family. Thus we have one of the most extraordinary documents ever to emerge from the Civil War – a diary written by two opposing soldiers. I am just finishing Chapter 17 of my book about the diary and its authors, and am talking with Hollywood producers about a film deal. I am currently seeking a publisher for my book.
I purchased two GAR medals which were given to the men who attended their “encampments” otherwise known as reunions. One of the medals is from the last encampmant held in 1949. I also have a Confederate $20.00 bill and a $5.00 State of Georgia note. I prize these mementos from that war.
$10 Confederate currency.
Me, too! I received currency carried by one of my ancestor’s compatriots in the same unit!
The best gift I ever bought for myself was the Golden Book of the Civil War. I remember it as a kid and looking back on the text brings back memories of a different era and perspective, as well as the reference!.
That’s it for me too. I was 10 years old when my parents gave me the book, although I think I had already read a copy for the library. I used to set up my toy soldiers like the diorama maps in the book. That started my interest in the Civil War that still continues 59 years later.
Vol 2 of the Officially Records of the Impeachment Trial of Andrew Johnson
After leading a tour, another Buff handed me 2 bullets encased in the soil of the Chancellorsville battlefield.
For my 70th birthday, my youngest son gave me a replica Navy Colt. I have written a book (Mosby’s Raids in Civil War Northern Virginia) and it is the main pistol that Colonel Mosby used during the Civil War.
Gary Gallagher gave me a badly damaged minie ball, and I compare it with a pristine minie ball to suggest the damage they did to the human body.
A brick.
Specially my son and daughter had a brick, inscribed with my name, placed in the central square of Gettysburg. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I ever received. Chocked me up in fact. And now I have another reason to visit Gettysburg (as if one needs another), to visit my brick.
I bought my 1863 Springfield rifle with ramrod and bayonet at a Civil War show that runs twice a year. I wanted one for a long time and the opportunity came about. I have it proudly hung between my tv and a shelve so I can see it everyday. I am so happy to have one of these. Thought the chance would never come.
William Britian’s Civil war miniatures. I recreated the battle of Fort Stevens in my office under a map of the battle. It’s a great ice breaker when meeting new clients.
I bought Mighty Stonewall at a school book fair in 1957. I still have it and it’s one my prized possessions.
We were in Gettysburg a couple of weeks ago for their Christmas Festival, and we saw, and bought, a really cool looking glass decanter that looks like a rifle. It has glasses with a bullet casing embedded within the glass. It’s already proven to be a good conversation piece. And the bourbon we put in it tastes great!
I bought a set of the OR! I love having it… and having the volumes not looking online.
After a tour of Gettysburg, I was given a rock from South Mountain which had bits of copper in it.
An envelope signed by William T. Sherman, along with his postwar calling card, from his time as general-in-chief, giving his Washington, D.C. address.
Either that or a signature of Winfield Scott Hancock, dating from wartime as he gives his rank as “Maj. Genl. US Vols.”
The most remarkable Civil War-connected gift I’ve ever received is the diary written by my great-granduncle, a Federal private who was killed in action. Upon his death, his body and diary were never recovered, but this gift he left for his family was accidentally rediscovered in an old archive 160 years later – in near perfect condition. Upon examination, the mystery of its disappearance was solved: the diary had been taken from his body by a Confederate officer, grandson of one of America’s greatest Founding Fathers, who completed the last six months of entries in the book. He survived the war despite twice being seriously wounded, and the diary remained in his family for over a century before narrowly escaping destruction, then beginning its journey back to my family. Thus we have one of the most extraordinary documents ever to emerge from the Civil War – a diary written by two opposing soldiers. I am just finishing Chapter 17 of my book about the diary and its authors, and am talking with Hollywood producers about a film deal. I am currently seeking a publisher for my book.
I purchased two GAR medals which were given to the men who attended their “encampments” otherwise known as reunions. One of the medals is from the last encampmant held in 1949. I also have a Confederate $20.00 bill and a $5.00 State of Georgia note. I prize these mementos from that war.