Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Bullet |
Catalog Number |
0985.14.00063a |
Description |
Bullet, flattened on either side of the point. It came wrapped in a small chamois cloth (b) tied with a rawhide string. The wrapped bullet was enclosed in a small black leather coin purse (c) with a steel two-knob clasp. Caliber of bullet not noted. Possibly a .58, although potentially smaller -- perhaps a Spencer or Merrill carbine round, or from a .54-caliber Model 1841 rifle. Bullet potentially as small as .53-caliber. |
Material |
Metal/lead |
Dimensions |
L-0.75 inches |
Owned |
Charles Minnigerode, Jr. |
Event |
Surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865 |
Provenance |
This bullet wounded Charles Minnigerode just before the surrender at Appomattox. Minnigerode (born 1845) was on Major General Fitzhugh Lee's staff and was the eldest son of Dr. Charles Minnigerode, pastor of St. Paul's Church in Richmond, Virginia. Minnigerode was wounded on April 9, 1865, and left for dead on the battlefield. He was treated by a Union surgeon and recovered from his wounds. He kept this bullet as a talisman. He continued to suffer pain in the postwar years. He committed suicide in 1888; this bullet is said to have been in his pocket at that time. There is a postwar photograph (FIC2009.02286) in the museum's collection showing him wearing his bloodstained, bullet-pierced frock coat. |
People |
Minnigerode, Charles Frederick Ernest, Jr. |
Search Terms |
Appomattox Campaign bullets that wounded people items removed from bodies Surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865 |
Subjects |
Wounded in war Wounds & injuries Suicides |