A glimpse into the Fort Ward collection reveals many treasures that create a profile of Civil War army life, among them a Sibley stove, a medical field pannier manufactured by the Squibb Company, an over-the-shoulder saxhorn, a silk flag belonging to Gen. John Logan, and a uniform jacket and accessories worn by a soldier in the 9th New York "Hawkins" Zouaves. Other collection highlights include:
Click to enlargeArtillery Objects
A broad scope of artillery objects, including a well-rounded collection of projectiles and aiming/firing tools and equipment. Some of these objects were featured in Time-Life’s multi-volume series, The Civil War, Vol. 15 -- The Struggle for Tennessee, pp. 136-141.
Union Occupation of Alexandria
Click to enlargeObjects related to the Union occupation of Alexandria. These include a rare proclamation, dated May 26, 1861, declaring martial law in the city, and a number of items pertaining to the death of Union hero Col. Elmer Ellsworth at the Marshall House Hotel during the Federal occupation of Alexandria. Of special interest is a section of the Confederate flag that Ellsworth removed from the roof of the Marshall House prior to being killed by innkeeper James Jackson, a secessionist resident of Alexandria.
Defenses of Washington
Click to enlargeObjects with significance to the Defenses of Washington. Among these are a 1862 topographical map of the defense system by the engineer E. G. Arnold, and a large wartime pencil drawing of Fort Albany, located in nearby Arlington, Virginia, by the soldier-artist William Lydston. This panoramic scene features landmarks in the surrounding Virginia and D.C. area that were labelled by the artist.
Hale Rocket Launcher
A Hale Rocket Launcher, one of only three known to exist in the U.S., designed to fire a Hale war rocket. Invented by William Hale in the 1840s and improved during the 1850s, this projectile was the chief rocket used in the Civil War. It was most extensively employed during the Federal bombardment of Charleston, South Carolina in 1864.
The Confederate War Etchings by Adalbert Volck
Click to enlargeThe Confederate War Etchings by Adalbert Volck, a collection of 29 prints that reflect the noted Baltimore artist’s secessionist sentiments. Volck’s artwork criticized and satirized Northern leaders, policies and troops, and supported Southern heroes and ideals. Writing the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln’s Passage through Baltimore and Prayer in Stonewall Jackson’s Camp are among the scenes in this celebrated wartime series.
