Artifacts
Published: 8/20/26
Edwin Stanton’s Gettysburg Cane
President Lincoln fashioned this cane from a branch taken from the Gettysburg battlefield and gifted it to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.
Published: 5/21/26
J.E.B. Stuart’s Gold Pocket Watch
Learn about a gold pocket watch once owned by Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart that earned well at auction.
Published: 3/3/26
Captain Nelson Armes’ Gauntlets
Captain Nelson Ames was heavily involved in the fighting at Gettysburg. Learn how much his gauntlets sold for at auction.
Published: 3/2/26
Ironclad Men
Bulletproof vests during the Civil War were less popular and effective than their manufacturers—and supporters in the press—had envisioned.
Published: 2/19/26
Herman Melville’s Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War
The story behind an inscribed copy of Herman Melville’s "Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War" that sold at auction in 2024.
Published: 11/13/25
Milligan’s Army Camp Kettle
A look at John C. Milligan's patented army mess kettle by which Union soldiers could transport “the necessary utensils for camp use."
Published: 8/25/25
An Aromatic Belt
Aromatic belts were among the many suspect items peddled to Civil War soldiers in search of extra protections against disease.
Published: 8/19/25
A Patriotic Accessory
A look at the patriotic earrings worn during the Civil War by nurse Rebecca Pomroy.
Published: 8/19/25
A Mighty Protector
The story of Union soldier Edwin C. Hall and the pocket prayer book that stopped a bullet—and saved his life.
Published: 5/28/25
The Butler Medal
The Butler Medal was awarded by Major General Benjamin F. Butler to this United States Colored Troops. This one sold at auction for $45,000.
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Published: 3/18/25
Union and Confederate Small Arms
A look at a cross section of Union and Confederate small arms hints at their great variety over the Civil War years.
Published: 3/18/25
A Civil War Baseball
A look at a baseball used by soldiers of the 17th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry that sold at auction for $41,825 in February 2014.
Published: 2/17/25
Medicine From a Pandora’s Box
Explore the story of the Civil War medicine box belonging to Confederate surgeon Christopher H. Tebaul.
Published: 1/6/25
A Firearm Transformed
Follow a Union soldier's journey with the M1816/22 rifled musket, a prominent firearm that served on the frontlines of the Civil War.
Published: 1/2/25
Abraham Lincoln’s Folding Brass Dividers
Highlighting the folding brass dividers used by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War that sold at auction in 2008.
Published: 11/18/24
A Helping Hand
The Civil War saw many advances in devices to aid amputees, including the practical tool known as a “knork.”
Published: 10/2/24
A Miniature Gettysburg “Relic Tower”
Highlighting a relic tower made by Gettysburg furniture maker John Good that sold at auction in 2010.
Published: 8/2/24
Sergeant Francis McMillen’s Sword Belt Plate
A look at the bullet-struck sword belt plate of Union soldier Francis McMillen.