THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 12, 1994 TAG: 9410110086
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
The best way to find out about Isle of Wight County's contribution to the Civil War is a trip to the Isle of Wight Museum, where a recently opened long-term exhibit tells the story through relics, letters and pictures.
``The exhibit just came together. People gave us things,'' says curator Nell Pittman. ``We have a good representation of local Civil War history.''
It is a history lesson that will make that subject more palatable to schools in the area.
``There'll be field trips here in the spring and fall,'' Pittman said.
The children will probably be most fascinated by the weapons on display, from pistols to sabers to bayonets.
One of the most efficient weapons was the 12-pounder Napoleon cannon. A model is on display with a description pronouncing it ``the mostly widely used of all cannons in the Civil War. It was one of the most accurate and had a better range than any other artillery in the war.''
Bringing up the rear of the cannon is an item called the limber chest, which carried the Napoleon's ammunition.
A display of cannon balls includes one large enough to deserve a sign reading, ``please don't sit here.''
Sitting behind one glass case is a letter from Dr. Will Fritts to his Confederate soldier son, William Henry, giving an account of the arrest of two men ``who had saddlebags with $950 worth of morphine.''
The drug was used to relieve pain. The amount those arrested had in their possession was a fair-sized fortune in those days.
On the subject of money, some Civil War currency is on display next to a muster roll for Chalmer's Field Artillery.
Another display belongs to Major E.M. Todd.
Sitting on his field desk is a potpourri of items he used, including his wallet, powder horn, pistol, pen, glasses and riding crop.
That particular exhibit is courtesy John Bradshaw of Isle of Wight County, whose family inherited the collection from the Todd family in the 1960s. MEMO: The exhibit of Civil War memorabilia is on display now at the Isle of
Wight Museum. For information, call 357-7459.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
These items are included in the Civil War Exhibit at the Isle of
Wight Museum. They help tell the story of the county's involvement
in the war.
by CNB