PHOTOGRAPH OF SEVEN CONFEDERATE VETERANS OF THE CREW OF THE CONFEDERATE MAN-OF-WAR VIRGINIA, OR MERRIMAC, PRODUCED AS A SOUVENIR TO BE SOLD AT THE PICKETT-BUCHANAN CAMP CONFEDERATE VETERANS' FAIR IN DECEMBER, 1884.
[Norfolk, VA? 1884?]. Photograph on heavy card stock, oblong 6-1/2" x 4-1/4." Very Good plus. Affixed to the verso is the printed description quoted below:.
"NORFOLK, VA., Dec. 5, 1884.
"Some of the Survivors of the Crew of the famous CONFEDERATE MAN-OF-WAR VIRGINIA, OR MERRIMAC, had this Photograph of themselves taken and placed on sale at the CONFEDERATE VETERANS' FAIR, now being held, proceeds of which go into the general fund now being raised for the suffering Veterans."
Identified in print on the verso are Wm. R. Jarvis, Carpenter's Mate; Capt. Thomas Kevill, Artillery; E.V. White, of Georgia, Engineer and Aide to Adm'l Buchanan; C.B. Oliver, Gunner; C.J. Creekmur, Paymaster's Yeoman; James E. Barry, First Lieut. Artillery; A.J. Dalton, Artillery.
Diligent search has not revealed information about this photograph. The Pickett - Buchanan Camp Confederate Veterans organized this "grand" fair and concert. The fair opened December 2, 1884 and ran for a couple of weeks. The net proceeds of the enterprise were appropriated to the "relief of Soldiers and Sailors of the Late Confederate States Army and Navy, who are sick, distressed, disabled and unable to earn a living now in our city."
The event suggests the intense efforts by white Americans to close the book on the War's hatreds, and to join hands again in unity. The Camp appealed for contributions from "Banks and Bankers, capitalists and prominent men and institutions of the country." The organizers of the Fair were Chairman Geo. W. Wilson, Commander James Barron Hope, J. Rich'd Lewellen, C. Albert Nash, T.B. Jackson, and James E. Barry. Reflecting the post-Reconstruction desire for harmony among white people of North and South, the "men who marched under the stars and bars, and those who marshaled under the stars and stripes were equally conspicuous, all anxious to contribute by their presence to the success of the enterprise." ["Relief for Disabled Confederate Veterans", Staunton Vindicator, 31 Oct 1884, Page 3; and Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, 12/2/1884, page 1.]. Item #39363
Price: $750.00