Confederate Inscribed Signed Dated Pipe From Alton Help Please

[AndyHall]

The "ribbed" appearance of one of the boxes indicated a cotton bale. Fantastic piece.

 

[llane]

Hi all,
I stumbled across this thread while researching carved Civil War pipes. By chance, I also came across this on an Illinois genealogical site:

PRISON RELIC
Source: The Daily Standard, Syracuse, New York, March 31, 1862
Mr. Alfred Wilkinson, who has recently returned from a southwestern tour, as far as St. Louis, has in his possession a pipe made by one of the rebel prisoners at Alton, Illinois, which is a rare specimen of ingenuity and skill, as well as persevering industry. The material of the pipe is cotton stone, a soft stone found in the south, easily worked, and susceptible of a fine polish. The bowl of the pipe is square, and is beautifully carved. One of the sides presents the new rebel flag, and the other the Palmetto tree, with the cotton plant and rattle, snake, appropriate emblems of the rebellion. The front bears the coat-of-arms of Missouri, with the usual scrolls and mottoes. It is understood that the work was executed with a pen-knife, by a young man who had no experience in carving, and regarding it in that light the work is a marvel of taste and skill.
http://madison.illinoisgenweb.org/prison.html (about halfway down the page)

It sounds like it could be the same pipe, or one incredibly similar. Perhaps the name was added by Mr. Wilkinson? I would be curious if any of you have come across other stone pipes in this vein. Do we have any idea whether folks generally carved their own or made them for others? Any thoughts on how they acquired the stone (or various briar wood)?

- L

 

[Bob Owen]

Great pipe and in my opinion totally authentic.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Hi all,
I stumbled across this thread while researching carved Civil War pipes. By chance, I also came across this on an Illinois genealogical site:

PRISON RELIC
Source: The Daily Standard, Syracuse, New York, March 31, 1862
Mr. Alfred Wilkinson, who has recently returned from a southwestern tour, as far as St. Louis, has in his possession a pipe made by one of the rebel prisoners at Alton, Illinois, which is a rare specimen of ingenuity and skill, as well as persevering industry. The material of the pipe is cotton stone, a soft stone found in the south, easily worked, and susceptible of a fine polish. The bowl of the pipe is square, and is beautifully carved. One of the sides presents the new rebel flag, and the other the Palmetto tree, with the cotton plant and rattle, snake, appropriate emblems of the rebellion. The front bears the coat-of-arms of Missouri, with the usual scrolls and mottoes. It is understood that the work was executed with a pen-knife, by a young man who had no experience in carving, and regarding it in that light the work is a marvel of taste and skill.
http://madison.illinoisgenweb.org/prison.html (about halfway down the page)

It sounds like it could be the same pipe, or one incredibly similar. Perhaps the name was added by Mr. Wilkinson? I would be curious if any of you have come across other stone pipes in this vein. Do we have any idea whether folks generally carved their own or made them for others? Any thoughts on how they acquired the stone (or various briar wood)?

- L

Great find. You never know. It could be, . . . stranger things have happened.
Welcome to the forums.

 

[Paul Rosenzweig]

Hi everyone. This is a fascinating item with an interesting history. I'm currently researching an Australian (William John Burk) who served during World war 1. In 1916, the medical officer recorded his tattoos: he had a broken spear and flag on his right upper arm and a ballet girl on his right forearm, and an American coat of arms on his left upper arm, and a palm tree and snake on his left forearm.

Ø The American coat of arms is understandable: I have now found out his father was John Charles Burk of Boston, USA (I believe John was born in the US in 1853).

Ø The 'palm tree and snake' sounds like the Civil War image described here.

Ø I'm guessing the 'broken spear' is a symbol of defeat, but bearing the flag it becomes a symbol of defiance ('keeping the colours flying'). Chances are the tattoo showed the Confederate battle flag or the Confederate 'Stars and Bars' Flag.

Burk's tattoos tell quite a story, of his American descent and a connection back to the Civil War. Is there any way I can trace backwards from his father John Charles Burk to identify if his father served during the Civil War?
Thanks
Paul

 

[Paul Rosenzweig]

Hi everyone. This is a fascinating item with an interesting history. I'm currently researching an Australian (William John Burk) who served during World war 1. In 1916, the medical officer recorded his tattoos: he had a broken spear and flag on his right upper arm and a ballet girl on his right forearm, and an American coat of arms on his left upper arm, and a palm tree and snake on his left forearm.

Ø The American coat of arms is understandable: I have now found out his father was John Charles Burk of Boston, USA (I believe John was born in the US in 1853).

Ø The 'palm tree and snake' sounds like the Civil War image described here.

Ø I'm guessing the 'broken spear' is a symbol of defeat, but bearing the flag it becomes a symbol of defiance ('keeping the colours flying'). Chances are the tattoo showed the Confederate battle flag or the Confederate 'Stars and Bars' Flag.

Burk's tattoos tell quite a story, of his American descent and a connection back to the Civil War. Is there any way I can trace backwards from his father John Charles Burk to identify if his father served during the Civil War?
Thanks
Paul

If it helps, I've just found out John Charles Burk' age on his marriage was recorded as 28 years (born 1853) and his father's name was Joseph Burk.