Annotated Catalogue of Relics in Memorial Room
Capt. Thos. Espy Post No. 153
G.A.R.
Library Building: Carnegie, Penna.
1911

Please note that annotations in red type FOLLOW their catalogue numbers.

[St. Clair Guards flag]

101. Silk flag. This flag was purchased by the Upper St. Clair Guards in 1860, costing $46.25. This company was commanded by Capt. Thos. Espy, Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny Co., Pa. On July 4, 1861, the St. Clair Guards became Co. H, 62d Reg., Pa. Vols., with Thos. Espy as Captain. This flag was carried by them to Harrisburg and not allowed. Company flags were returned by Capt. Espy to his home. Has been in the possession of Capt. Thos. Espy's family 46 years. Secured from the family for Memorial Hall, February, 1907.

National Colors; St. Clair Guard in gold on white stripe; approximately 6' x 4'; still has fringe. Poor condition. Location: Section B, Case 2.

102. Captain's suit and sash. This suit was worn by Capt. Thos. Espy, Co. H, 62d Reg., Pa. Vols. At the opening of the campaign, the spring of 1862, this suit, with other articles, was packed in a satchel by Capt. Espy and left in Washington, D.C. After the Captain's death in front of Richmond, July 6, 1862, the satchel was sent to his family, and has been in their possession 45 years. Secured from the family for Memorial Hall, February, 1907.

MISSING!

[Capt. Espy] [coat]

103. Coat and epaulettes. Was worn by Capt. Thos. Espy of the St. Clair Guards of Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny Co., Pa. Was worn by him when the St. Clair Guards became Co. H, 62d Reg., Pa. Vols. Was returned to his family July, 1861, from Harrisburg, Pa. Has been in the possession of his family 46 years. Secured from his family for Memorial Hall, February, 1907.

Epaulettes are mostly intact, one button missing, other ordinary officer's button. Fair condition. COAT MISSING! The Lieutenant's coat pictured, likely #65, was worn by George S. Drake, 1st Lieut. Co. B, 77th Regiment, Pa. Vet. Vols. in the campaigns in Tennessee and Texas. It replaced the missing Espy coat in the case. Location: Section B, Case 2. See Espy's fancy militia coat in Espy's portrait to right; also see the lower of the two 1911 photos. Click on the lower picture for an enlargement and note the coat at extreme right.



[epaulettesr] [shako]
© 2006 Chris Smith

104. Hat. Was worn by Capt. Thos. Espy, St. Clair Guards of Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny Co., Pa. Was worn by him when the St. Clair Guards became Co. H, 62d Reg., Pa. Vols. Was returned to his family July, 1861, from Harrisburg, Pa. Has been in the possession of his family 46 years. Secured from the family for Memorial Hall, February, 1907.

Shako; manufacturer's tag W. W. Wilson, Pittsburgh, Pa.; intact; moth damage; dark blue wool; embroidered eagle and bugle; both buttons and chin strop intact. Location: Section B, Case 2. Fair condition.

105. Cavalry spur. This spur was taken from the boot of a dead Confederate cavalryman at Hatchers Run, Va., March 25, 1865, by Daniel Bowman, Co. F, 87th Reg., Pa. Vols. Has been in his possession 42 years. Secured from him for Memorial Hall, March 15, 1907.

MISSING!

106. Shells. Three pieces of shell were found by Matthew Quay Corbett on the battlefield of Gettysburg in August, 1906, in the field over which General Pickett charged, July 3, 1863. Secured from him for Memorial Hall, March 16, 19097.

Shell fragments; 1 triangular with part of band on it; one circular piece; one with fuse threads inside. Fair condition. Location: Section C, Case 4. See image at entry number 45.

107. Ninth Corps badge. This silver Ninth Corps badge was worn by Ward Foster, Co. M, 100th Reg., Pa. Vet. Vol., at his death, August 4, 1891. The badge came into the possession of his son, George E. Foster, and has been in his possession 15 years. Secured from George E. Foster for Memorial Hall, February, 1907.

MISSING!

[various artifacts]
Items include lock (N24), song (108), pine cone from Petersburg, (138), solid cannon ball (139), grape shot (43 and 98), 3 lb. solid shot (82) and brick from Chancellorsville (132).

108. Song Last of Old Lee. This song was composed by John Hogan, Co. F, 87th Reg., Pa. Vols., just after the surrender of General Lee and before he was discharged and was printed in Richmond, Va. While the army was on the way to Washington, D.C., to be discharged, this copy was presented by John Hogan to C. M. Lea, Co. G, 87th Reg., Pa. Vols., in Richmond, Va., 1865. Has been in Lea's possession 42 years. Secured from him for Memorial Hall, February, 1907.

Mounted under glass; taped edges; waterstains; on back is written "C.M. Lea. Feb. 8th 1907." Fair condition. Location: Section C, Case 5.

109. Confederate cartridge box. Was found on the battlefield of Chancellorsville, Va., by Thomas Camby, Co. E, 9th Reg., Pa Reserves. By him presented to Wm. H. Green of Carnegie in 1890, and has been in his possession to the present time. Secured from Wm. H. Green for Memorial Hall, March, 1907.

MISSING!

[straps]

110. Blanket. One half of a government blanket, carried and used by John Schumacher, Co. D, 18th Pa. Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 1st Cavalry Corps. Used by him for two years and nine months. Was in his possession until his death in 1865. Was in his wife's possession 20 years, to 1885, then in possession of his daughter from 1885 to 1894, nine years; then came into the possession of his youngest son, Fred Schumacher, of Main Street, Carnegie, Pa. Has been in his possession 13 years. Secured from him for Memorial Hall, March 28, 1907.

MISSING! EXCEPT LEATHER STRAP! See image at entry number 77.

111. Sketch of Camp Humphreys. This sketch was made by Private Chas. F. McKenna, Co. E, 155th Regt., Pa. Vols., in 1863. Reprints made in 1907. In the winter of 1862 and 1863, the 155th, 133d, 123d and 131st Regiments, Pa. Vols., occupied this camp, which was known as Camp Humphreys, near Falmouth, Va. Presented to Memorial Hall, April 8, 1907, by Judge Chas. F. McKenna.

[charter]
© 2006 Chris Smith

Actually a lithograph signed by Pvt.McKenna, dated 8 April 1907; approximately 18" x 24". Location: Section C, Case 5. [Wood frame; 1 1/2" x 24 1/2" x 30"; Location: Behind organ.]

RESTORED JAN 2003!

112. Cane. The wood in this cane was cut by Jos. S. Hope, late Co. H, 62d Reg., Pa. Vols., from Mulberry tree near General Lee's headquarters, Seminary grounds, Gettysburg, Pa., in 1890, while visiting the battlefield. The cane was finished by his blind brother, Wm. Hope. Presented to Memorial Hall, April 8, 1907, by Joseph S. Hope.

MISSING!

[various artifacts]
Items include granite (124), bullet (157), pine wood and bullet (22), six bullets (158), pipe (113), collection of bullets (160) and pine wood and bullet(50).

113. Pipe. Was used by John Keenan, Co. I, 112 Regt., Pa. Vet. Vols. Was brought home when discharged, February 28, 1865. Has been in possession of his family 42 years. Presented to Memorial Hall, April 29, 1907, by his wife, Mrs. Matilda Keenan, No. 328 Rowland Avenue, Carnegie, Pa.

Mouthpiece has broken off from the bowl; made of wood with silver shank band; gutta percha mouthpiece? Poor condition. Location: Section C, Case 3.

114. Bayonet. Was found in the old rifle pits at Chancellorsville, Va., battlefield by Wm. J. Steen, Co. G, 136th Regt., Pa. Vols., while visiting the old battlefield in 1903. Has been in his possession four years. Secured from him for Memorial Hall, April 8, 1907.

Springfield; no visible stampings; damage to muzzle and sight ends; ring is rusted fast. Fair condition. Location: Section C, Case 1. See image at entry number 41.

115. Bible. Carried by Newton H. Phillips, Co. B, 61st Regiment, Pa. Vols. This book was sent him by his wife in September, 1864, and was carried by him through the battles of Charleston, Va., September, 1864, and Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864. At the latter battle he was shot through the left leg. Was carried by him in the service until his discharge, June 28, 1865. Has been in his possession 43 years. Secured from him and his wife for Memorial Hall, May, 1907.

MISSING!

116. Memorial Hall. To be erected by Allegheny Co. in honor of the soldiers and sailors of Allegheny County, Pa. Secured from the County Commissioners by Post Commander Wm. M. Kirby, and by him presented to the Post, May 27, 1907.

Framed and matted print; wood frame damaged in three places. Good condition. Location: Commander's wall.

117. Bible. Was found on the battlefield of Chancellorsville, Va., the first day of the fight, May 1, 1863, under Gen. Jos. Hooker, by Samuel A. Young, Co. H, 62d Reg., Pa. Vols. Has been in his possession 44 years. Secured from him for Memorial Hall, May, 1907.

MISSING!

[canes]
Canes top to bottom are entry numbers 150, 118, and 71.

118. Cane. This cane was cut from Little Round Top, Gettysburg, in 1904, by Mark Gorison, and presented to his friend, Samuel A. Young, late Co. H, 62d Reg., Pa. Vols., and secured from him for Memorial Hall, May 30, 1907.

Stick; wood; metal tip affixed with two nails. Excellent condition. Location: Section A, Case 1.

119. Rifle, canteen and belt. Were carried and used by Wm. C. McMillen, Co. B, 155th Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inft. This gun was used by him when wounded on Little Round Top, Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863. At the time of his discharge from the service, June 7, 1865, he retained the rifle, bringing it to his home in Scott township. Has been in the possession of his family for over 42 years. Secured from his wife and family for Memorial Hall, July, 1907.

MISSING!

120. Bayonet and scabbard. Carried and used by Robert T. McCelland, Co. G, 110th Regt., Pa. Vol. Inft. Was brought home by him at the time of discharge from the service. Has been in the possession of his family 42 years. Secured from his wife for Memorial Hall, August 31, 1907.

MISSING!

[monument] [monument]

121. Monument. Erected by Capt. Thos. Espy Post, 153, Dept. Pa., G.A.R., and Gen. Jas. A. Garfield Post, 215, Dept. Pa., G.A.R., in Grand Army lot in Chartiers Cemetery. The contract for the erection was let to the Ryegate Granite Co. of Ryegate, Vermont, in 1887, at a cost of fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars. The monument was dedicated July 21, 1888, at three o'clock P.M. The following program was carried out at the services: Prayer by Rev. Wm. Lynch; music, "Mustered Out," Allegheny Quartette Club; original poem, Miss Josie S. Sholes; unveiling of monument; music, "Unreturning Braves," Allegheny Quartette Club; dirge, St. Luke's Brass Band; oration, Col. John A. Danks; music, "America," Allegheny Quartette Club; doxology; benediction, Rev. Beasom. The day was fine, over three thousand persons were present in the cemetery. The ribbon badge was used by W. H. H. Lea on day of dedication. The engraving was enlarged for W. H. H. Lea and presented by him to Memorial Hall, September 23, 1907.

Print of G.A.R. Monument in Chartier's Cemetery in 27 1/2" x 3 1/2' wood frame; G.A.R. ribbon inside; dated July 21, 1888; dirt opposite figure on top of monument. Good condition. Location: Wall E.




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