Object Record
Metadata
Object Name |
Plate, Dinner |
Catalog Number |
0985.13.01585 |
Description |
The plate is white Canton porcelain with a blue stencil design of a pagoda landscape with no marks. |
Material |
Ceramic/Porcelain |
Dimensions |
Dia-9 inches |
Owned |
unidentified Richmond civilian; unidentified Union soldier |
Made |
Canton |
Provenance |
This plate was taken from a china closet in a home near Richmond, Va., when looted by Northern soldiers. The plate was used in the camp mess and finally fell into the hands of the father of Mrs. Earl Cranston. The father was a Union soldier, member of what was called 'The Hundred Days Service' composed of teachers from the schools of Cincinnati. According to the donor, "I want this plate to go back home to its own land and its own people.... During the Civil War...the Northern soldiers raided a town (near Richmond, I think) and looted it.... They broke into one house and looted the china closet. One of the men took this plate to use in his camp mess instead of his tinplate. Later his captain was sick, and this soldier managed to secure some special dainty and put it on his plate, and took it to his captain. The captain used it through the rest of his service till near the close of the war. My father was a Union soldier, enlisted in a company of teachers from the schools of Cincinnati. It was what they called the 'Hundred Days Service,' the last of the war. This captain with the plate in course of time became my father's captain (or colonel). My father was an unusually beloved character.... He fell sick, was put in a camp hospital; his captain came to see him, bringing the blue plate with something that seemed extra nice to tempt my father's appetite; and told him to keep the plate to eat his rations on; it was better than the rusty tin plate. My father soon invalided home from Petersburg, Va. He brought the blue plate, which has ever since been in the various china closets of my mother and myself...." |
Search Terms |
found on battlefield items captured by Union soldiers items captured from Confederate soldiers items taken by Union soldiers items taken from Confederate soldiers Items taken North by Union soldiers and later returned South United States Army |
Subjects |
Food |