What is the Best Civil War Related Gift you've ever received?

lelliott19 · May 9, 2022

Over the weekend, I received in the mail a very special gift from @Woods-walker . It's a handmade stylized replica of an 1850 style wooden canteen displaying items that represent the Kirkland incident at Fredericksburg - you know, the Angel of Marye's Heights. A Georgia and a South Carolina button to represent the two Confederate brigades behind the stone wall. A local stone "wedge" to represent the stone wall. And a 1995 US Mint commemorative silver dollar memorializing Richard Rowland Kirkland's selfless act on December 14, 1862. The display itself, the canteen, is made of wood blocks cut at an angle to form the sides, wrapped with two metal bands, with the leather strapping and hand sewn canvas sling. A clear plexiglass front protects the items inside.

It makes sense that our friends at CivilWarTalk would know the perfect gift - exactly what we would absolutely love! We talk about our interests here and, after a while, you just know.... you see something related to the 2nd Mississippi and you immediately think of @Coonewah Creek . Or 22nd Kentucky = @huskerblitz ; Michigan related = @major bill ; and Hood's Texans = @bdtex . Or you see something related to the Richmond Howitzers and you immediately think of @John Winn . I could give any number of other examples, but I'll save that for another time. If you've been a member for any length of time, you've probably already made friends with people here? You get to know their specific interests and they know yours.

This special gift from @Woods-walker got me thinking about special Civil War related gifts I've been given over the years, so I thought I'd share. In the photo above, the Don Stivers print entitled An Act of Compassion was a gift from @bdtex @Rick Featherston and James N. during the Shiloh Muster in 2020. The dug bullets were given to me by @ucvrelics at the 2019 Chickamauga and 2020 Shiloh musters and the bas-relief sculptures were gifts from @rebel brit at the 2019 Vicksburg, 2020 Shiloh, and 2021 Sharpsburg musters. And the first edition of Thirteen Months in the Rebel Army, printed in 1862, was gifted to me by @Viper21 from his personal collection - because he knows how much I like primary source accounts.

I hope others will also share - the best or most thoughtful Civil War related gift you've ever received and why.

Here are some more pictures of the Angel of Marye's Heights commemorative canteen display. Thank you so much @Woods-walker I absolutely LOVE it!

DuckNachos99 · May 14, 2022

I don't know if this counts, as it was a gift I bought for myself with money that was given to me for my birthday, but an original Civil War U.S. Navy ensign's frock coat. My sister was 9-years old at the time and she could fit into it perfectly. She also threw a fit when I tried to get her to wear it for the pictures, as she did NOT want to wear a 160-year old jacket.

scooter748driver · May 17, 2022

I need to change my reply.

Previously I had stated that, being a new collector and recently actively interested in collecting CW items, no one had gifted anything as yet. To show the generosity of members of this forum (which is already well know I'm sure), a member reached out and offered to send me a few items from his collection.

He stated he enjoys doing this to help new collectors and to share his collections with others. As a very experienced relic hunter/collector, he documents his relic discoveries/recoveries thoroughly which allowed him to provide the detail of each item. Here are the incredible items he sent:

A Union enlisted man's jacket button that was dug in Burnside's 1862-63 winter camp in a location where Franklin's troops were camped.
A suspended adjustment hook or hitch that was dug in Stonewall Jackson's 1862-63 winter camp where A.P. Hill's Division was camped.
A dropped Union 58 caliber Minnie from Fredericksburg
A fired Union 58 caliber mini (from Spotsylvania area) that was found on the Brock Road where fighting occurred on May 8-9, 1864 as the Federals were leaving the Wilderness and Spotsylvania courthouse was just starting.
A 69 caliber round ball (used by both armies but more so by CS troops) that was found at Chancellorsville

Now, to some these may be common items, but to me they are priceless - not just for what they are and where they have been, but also because one man took the time to further the interest and appreciation of another with such a wonderful gesture. He did ask to remain anonymous so I will respect that request, but suffice it to say I'm so very grateful and touched by this gift. These items will never depart from me.

To my generous friend - thank you.

James N. · May 17, 2022

scooter748driver said:
...Here are the incredible items he sent:

A Union enlisted man's jacket button that was dug in Burnside's 1862-63 winter camp in a location where Franklin's troops were camped.

A suspended adjustment hook or hitch that was dug in Stonewall Jackson's 1862-63 winter camp where A.P. Hill's Division was camped.

A dropped Union 58 caliber Minnie from Fredericksburg

A fired Union 58 caliber mini (from Spotsylvania area) that was found on the Brock Road where fighting occurred on May 8-9, 1864 as the Federals were leaving the Wilderness and Spotsylvania courthouse was just starting.

A 69 caliber round ball (used by both armies but more so by CS troops) that was found at Chancellorsville

Congratulations on your recent acquisition and "the kindness of strangers!" If the object you're referring to is the little square buckle, it conforms pretty exactly to the chinstrap adjuster found on many kepis and forage caps, like on this replica:

tmorr · May 17, 2022

For me, it's not the item, but the memories.... Way back in 1979-1980 when I was 13, I started to get into collecting from our then-home in Western NY. I would write letters based on the classified ads that appeared at the time in North South Trader asking for catalogues and price lists. With my meager budget I would purchase an item or two as funds allowed. The main people I corresponded with were Blue & Grey Relic Shop in PA (the Klinepeter's IIRC) and a gentleman in Trenton named Don Capasso. Both would always send me extra goodies in the box with my purchase and would usually drop the price on things to make them affordable to a 13 year old. I never forgot their kindness and corresponded with Don on and off through the early 1990s. I still have every relic (cap and cartridge boxes, belt and box plates, bullets, buttons, etc) that I purchased from, or were gifts from, these fine folks. I believe I even have their old price lists filed away. I've given away a lot of things I've dug to others as a way of trying to "pay it forward" in honor of those who helped me in the beginning.

East Tennessee Roots · May 17, 2022

For my 11th birthday in 1959 Mom & Dad purchased a complete set of "Photographic History Of The Civil War". Cost all of $40.00. I lost them in a flooded basement in the 80s. Wonder what they'd be worth today?

bayouace · May 18, 2022

A couple of .58 cal bullets, and a 6" section of the CW-era RR rail line from Clinton to Port Hudson. Also, an NG buckle sold as CW, but turns out to be NY-PA National Guard vintage Indian Wars, but the thought counted greatly. I have given myself other types of bullets, a minie ball, and a couple of CSA and Virginia currency bills.

Mark A · May 18, 2022

Very early in my collecting career I had the good fortune to meet and befriend a gentleman who became my mentor, travel partner and table buddy at Civil War shows. After 20 years my friend, who was thirty years my senior, began to fail in health. He called one day and said: "Stop by the house, I have something for you."

We spent about three hours talking in his study when he slowly got up from his chair. He crossed the room and opened a cabinet that he had never before opened in my presence. He pulled out these items ---

The items that he gave me were items that had been given to him by his mentor some 70 years ago when my buddy showed a special interest in Civil War handguns and their connection to our country's history. Passed down through the family & then to my mentor were the bullet mold, crucifix, eagle belt plate and Fluted Cylinder Colt M1860 that once belonged to Lt. James McQuade of the 63rd NYSV (part of the famous Irish Brigade). I was reluctant to accept such valuable items as a gift, especially the Colt, but after a short conversation I accepted the ensemble. I offered up to my mentor that I would only accepted the gift with the promise to my friend that I would never profit by selling McQuade's gun. I too would pass these items along to a younger collector who must also make that same pledge. We are only caretakers not owners so no money has nor is ever to be exchanged for McQuade's effects.

Sadly my mentor passed away 10 days after giving me these gifts in 2010. McQuade's items are priceless to me but much more important was the friendship between myself and my mentor. I respected him tremendously, he was honest to a fault. I liked him immensely and appreciated him for all the kindess he extended towards me and everyone he met.

I'm relatively sure that I've met and become good friends with the next recipient of McQuade's grouping although that young collector is not aware that he will become its next caretaker.

Sorry to be so long winded!

Mark A

Cavalier · May 19, 2022

@Mark A That is really special! Thanks for the photo.

John

JerryD · May 19, 2022

It was a framed collection of Confederate money that had been picked up by one of my father in law's ancestors who fought in the war, and had been passed down through the years. My in-laws never really liked me, as they considered I was not good enough to marry their daughter. I was a cross country trucker at the time, before I became a lawyer. So the fact they took the effort to frame some of the money, and give it to me, really kind of sent me the message that they were finally, kind of, accepting me as part of the family, since these were family heirlooms.

Arioch · May 19, 2022

Something much more personal to me. The item is not uncommon, but it was the thoughtfulness.

My older brother is quite the book smith and book collector. Once upon a time we got to talking and I cavalierly mentioned I was on the look out for a very nice copy of Grant's memoirs. I had not read it yet, and at that time, it had once again cycled out of print and I could only find very trashed, beat up, and falling apart copies...I wanted a nice one, because I knew it would be one I would want to keep. I was quite willing to be patient and wait for it to be printed again...which it eventually was.

On a subsequent birthday, he surprised me with what he called a 'curveball'...He told me 'you may want to read this one as well'. He gave me a very nice copy of Sherman's memoirs. I had not read it, and at that time did not even realize that Sherman had written a memoir. So, it was quite the surprise on a couple of levels. I've always had a 'soft spot' since, for 'Uncle Billy's' book...and my brother was quite right. I have always found it to be one of the best written 'memoirs' of any ACW personage I've ever read.

The item is common...but the personal gesture,..was not.

Oh, and by the way, my patience did pay off and I did eventually get ahold of that very nice copy of Grants' memoirs...from, of course...my brother.

CyleKostello · May 21, 2022

As the folks on the relic forum know I do a fair bit of collecting, and have been gifted some really incredible pieces from friends and family.

But my favorite civil war adjacent gift has to be this little Yankee teddy bear. When I was little my grandparents took me on a road trip to Gettysburg and grandpa bought me this little guy in one of the gift shops. Pa passed a few years ago but I've brought the little bear w/me whenever I've moved.

You could probably draw a straight line from my road trips with them to my current American history (CW in particular) fascination.

TucsonReb · May 21, 2022

A northern Confederate counterfeit produced during the war for my 8th grade graduation the other day!

Creighton1930 · May 22, 2022

I went to a garage sale and I was given some hand painted civil war miniatures, which was pretty cool.

What is the Best Civil War Related Gift you've ever received?

lelliott19

Brigadier General

DuckNachos99

Private

scooter748driver

2nd Lieutenant

James N.

Colonel

tmorr

Corporal

East Tennessee Roots

Major

bayouace

Sergeant Major

Mark A

Corporal

Cavalier

1st Lieutenant

JerryD

1st Lieutenant

Arioch

Sergeant

CyleKostello

Sergeant

TucsonReb

Corporal

Creighton1930

Private

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