Cav artifacts from Confederate Memorial Hall NO

[Ken Knopp]

While organizing some of my files and going through some old photos today I found this old post card from the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans. I don't think I have posted this before (maybe before the great crash) but what makes it significant to "us" is the grouping of cavalry artifacts from their collection. For those of you unfamiliar, this museum has one of the oldest and premier collections of CS artifacts in the country. The artifacts and their provenance is incredible.
Anyway, the grouping in the photo is very interesting. I note the CS saddle which BTW, is a Confederate pattern, and its interesting skirts, The Richmond Sharps, the saddle bags and other items. Most interesting to me is the saddle blanket (yes, that is a saddle blanket!) Take a look at. It has provenance as having belonged to a member of the 7th Tennessee Cavalry. I know, to me it looks like some "knit" thing my hippie Aunt had on her couch in the early 70's but, its wool and its the real deal. (Mark, can you imagine one of your guys showing up at an event with "that"!). I tried hard to get a photograph of it and other things while preparing for my first book but in spite of being only 100 miles from them I could not get the curator there to act. Worked on it for years. They were (are still) severely cash strapped, short of personel, etc. When Katrina hit things only got worse. Still a great museum with the folks there "true believers" and doing the hard trench warfare work.
For your viewing pleasure.

Ken R Knopp

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav artifacts from Confederate Memorial Hall NO

Ken,

I can see it now..........word will get around about this blanket, and by the end of the year, our camp will look like Aunt Bea came in and decorated things, ha.:D Good photo, though and thanks for posting it.

As a matter of fact, Ken, I was in N.O. this summer and went to this museum and it is a fine one for sure. Lots of things that belonged to Beauregard and several items of Lee's. One of my favorites that was on display was Jeff Davis's Grimsley saddle. Lots of Davis stuff. They don't allow photographs so I started up a conversation with the manager on duty to try and "soften him up" a bit. After establishing several common contact points, I though I had it. So, I asked if I could get a couple of shots of the saddle. "Nope" was his reply.............oh well.

thanks,
Mark

[Hank Trent]

Re: Cav artifacts from Confederate Memorial Hall NO

That saddle blanket looks kind of like the flame stitch stuff that was so popular in the 18th century. Don't know if it's actually directly descended from that, but I wonder if it would look "old fashioned" in the 1860s too, like the old upholstery or knicknacks that grandma and grandpa had?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Mark Choate]

Re: Cav artifacts from Confederate Memorial Hall NO

Hank,

Thanks for the photo of the "flame stitch" wallet. That is such a close match to the pattern in Ken's blanket shot that I would say that it has to be influenced by it. I know the old saying is, "any port in a storm", but that would have to be my last choice for a saddle blanket.

Mark

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Cav artifacts from Confederate Memorial Hall NO

I tried hard to get a photograph of it and other things while preparing for my first book but in spite of being only 100 miles from them I could not get the curator there to act. Worked on it for years. They were (are still) severely cash strapped, short of personel, etc. When Katrina hit things only got worse. Still a great museum with the folks there "true believers" and doing the hard trench warfare work.
Ken R Knopp

Ken,

I concur. The CMH is one of the finest, most unsung holding places of Confederate artifacts in the world. In many ways, I like it better than the Museum of the Conferacy. Many people don't know that many of the artifacts in Echoes of Glory are from CMH.

My favorite two cavalry items are the spanish style spurs ID'd to the 7th Tennessee and the elaborately embroidered star cut from the standard of the 1st Louisiana Cavalry at the end of the war.

As for pics, email me offline. We've known the currator there for years and he is close personal friends with some of us. Maybe we can help you get your foot in the door at least. CMH has loaned a few artifacts to the museum at Camp Moore, as you know. I'm particularly proud of the cloth hat worn by the Mississippi cavalryman and featured in EoG. Speaking of Camp Moore, have you been able to take Governor Moore's Texas saddle out of the case and examine/photograph it? I'm certain I can get you access to it.

[emartinez]

Re: Cav artifacts from Confederate Memorial Hall NO

Hey, Lewtinint Choate!

Duz thet mean ah caint git me one wunna dem fancee city blankits?

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Cav artifacts from Confederate Memorial Hall NO

Ernie, I sent you an email and private message post.

Ken R Knopp