At the Smithsonian: Bullet-riddled tree stump, Sherman's campaign hat, Mosby's cavalry jacket -- and more

I paid a very brief visit last week to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War” exhibit on the third floor includes some incredible Civil War artifacts. The following descriptions of items I photographed are based on the Smithsonian's online guide:

(Civil War Picket photos)

“Spotsylvania Stump”: On May 12, 1864, the combined fire of Union and Confederate guns near the "Bloody Angle" at the Battle of Spotsylvania managed to annihilate this oak tree, leaving a bullet-riddled stump. The same fury of bullets that cut down 2,000 combatants tore away the 22-inch tree trunk. Several conical bullets are still deeply embedded in the wood. Grant attacked Lee’s stout defenses at Spotsylvania repeatedly. The Union attack at the Mule Shoe faltered after 20 hours of explosive mayhem, which reduced the tree to a nub, surrounded by piles of bodies. 

Zouave uniform (below): 5^th New York Volunteer Infantry (Duryee’s Zouaves), 1861. It consists of a distinctive jacket, vest, sash, baggy trousers and fez. The Zouave uniform adopted on both sides by many volunteer units during the first year of the Civil War was based on that of the elite battalion of the French army, whose dashing appearance matched its fighting abilities.

Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman campaign hat: Officers wore many types of hats, more often non-regulation than regulation. The hat is made of gray felt and has a gold general officer's hat cord as prescribed in the 1858 regulations for general officers; also in keeping with the regulations is a gold-embroidered wreath, encircling the letters "U.S." embroidered in silver, on a black-velvet patch sewn onto the front of the crown.

John Singleton Mosby’s cavalry jacket and hat: This double-breasted wool shell jacket (left) is adorned with brass muffin buttons. The gray felt slouch hat is trimmed with grosgrain ribbon. This hat was worn by the Confederate officer when he was wounded by Federal cavalry in December 1864. The hat, left behind at a home in Virginia, was returned to Mosby -- also known as the "Gray Ghost" -- years later. He later gave it to the president.

Union infantry uniform: This wool fatigue jacket with a roll-down collar is matched with light blue Kersey cloth trousers. The set includes a shoulder belt, cartridge box, a percussion cap box, bayonet and canteen.

Confederate infantry uniform: Gray wool frock coat with black facings and gold-colored buttons. Black leather belt with brass CS belt plate. Leather cartridge box and bayonet scabbard. Buff slouch hat. Sky blue trousers.

Col. Vincent sword beneath Confederate shell jacket

Zouave uniform, Sherman hat, recruiting posters (click to enlarge)

Col. Strong Vincent’s sword: A Confederate shell jacket is a backdrop to this Model 1850 weapon used by the Federal officer at Gettysburg. The Union saw the value of securing a rocky outcropping called Little Round Top. Vincent seized the opportunity, taking the boulder and brandishing his wife’s riding crop as he yelled to his men, “Don’t give an inch.” As he uttered the words, a bullet tore through his thigh and lodged in his body. The line held, but Vincent was mortally wounded. He lingered for five days before succumbing to his wound.