Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Spur |
Catalog Number |
1988.007b |
Description |
Pair (one of two) brass spurs with half-round heel band and swan neck with 10-point iron rowels; slots at terminal ends of band for leather strap (missing). |
Dimensions |
W-3 L-5.5 inches |
Owned |
Jefferson Davis; Baxter B. Bennett |
Owner Regiment |
Co. B, 4th Michigan Cavalry |
Made |
believed Richmond, Virginia, CSA |
Event |
flight and capture of Jefferson Davis, 1865 |
Provenance |
Jefferson Davis was wearing this pair of spurs while on his "escape" route through Georgia. Corporal Baxter B. Bennett of Co. B, 4th Michigan Cavalry took the spurs away from Davis on May 10, 1865 at Irwinville, Georgia. In fact, it was Davis's boots and spurs that drew the attention of Union Corporal Munger as Davis tried to discreetly escape his encampment that morning, and led to his arrest. Bennett's presence at the capture is verified in Vol. 49, part 1, pages 543-544 of the "Official Records." A Mrs. Sullivan purchased the spurs in 1931 from Lora Bloss, who was the second wife of Cutler A. Bloss, whose first wife was Angeline Bennett Bloss. Angeline Bennett Bloss died in 1931 and was Baxter Bennett's daughter. |
People |
Davis, Jefferson Bennett, Baxter B. |
Search Terms |
flight and capture of Jefferson Davis, 1865 Irwinville, Georgia items captured by Union soldiers items captured from Confederate soldiers items taken items taken by Union soldiers items taken from Confederate soldiers United States Army |