Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Beans, Coffee |
Catalog Number |
0985.13.00498 |
Description |
There are two tablespoons of unroasted coffee beans. They are now stored in an archival box, but were donated in a glass bottle originally used to hold silver nitrate (lunar caustic); the whereabouts of this bottle are unknown. |
Owned |
James R. Werth (tentative) |
Owner Regiment |
4th Virginia Cavalry, Co. E |
Event |
Surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865 |
Provenance |
A ration of coffee beans (two tablespoons) for nine men, issued to Mess no. 1, Co. E, 4th Virginia Cavalry, on the retreat from Richmond to Appomattox. The beans were originally in a glass bottle, which has apparently been missing for many years. "Two tablespoons full of untoasted coffee in a bottle. The last ration of coffee issued on the retreat from Richmond to Appomattox Court House to Mess No. 1, Co. E, 4th Virginia Cavalry. This was a ration for 9 men! On the march James R. Werth picked up a bottle containing luna caustic [silver nitrate], threw the caustic away, and put the coffee in the bottle where it is now." "The last ration of coffee issued to mess No. 1, Company E, 4th Virginia Cavalry, on the retreat from Richmond to Appomattox. There was no time to toast it to grind it or to make it. It is unconsumed. It is therefore just as it was issued. Two table-spoons full, a ration for 12 men!" |
People |
Werth, James Rhodes |
Search Terms |
Appomattox Campaign Surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865 |
Subjects |
Beverages Coffee drinks Food Retreats, Military surrenders Rations |