Texas Civil War Museum

The largest collection of Civil War artifacts west of the Mississippi River is on display at the Texas Civil War Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. The museum is a collaborative effort involving private collectors and museum founders, Ray and Judy Richey and The Texas Division United Daughters of the Confederacy. The museum is a nonprofit and has more than 5,000 artifacts that rotate on exhibit.

 

Among the artifacts is a collection of more than 80 original flags from the war, making it the largest collection of flags in the state of Texas. Many of the flags are from Texas units that fought for the Confederacy.

 

 Among the featured displays at the museum is a collection of Victorian era dresses. The museum has over 300 dresses and about three dozen will be displayed on a rotating basis.

 

The military collection is considered to be one of the largest and best private collections in the world containing items from both the Union and the Confederacy. 2015 marks the 150^th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and at the time, U.S. Grant was the most popular man in the country. At the museum General Grant’s presentation sword is on display. The sword represents the finest in American silver craftsmanship and spares no expense in its attention to detail. No less incredible is the embodiment of symbolism, which is almost poetic in its composition. It was the spring of 1864 when President Lincoln promoted Grant to Lieutenant General and commander of all U.S. Armies. It was then the people of Kentucky presented what The Missouri Democrat proclaimed: “The most valuable sword in this department and the one said to be the finest ever made in this country,” Crafted by St. Louis silversmith, Henry Folsom, the sword grip and scabbard are entirely constructed of silver. The scabbard is resplendent with carvings of laurel leaves and gargoyle type figures. The initials U.S.G. are displayed in diamonds, as is KY for the state of Kentucky. The sword grip’s carving is the “Goddess of Victory” complete with an eagle atop and a large amethyst below the cross guard. On the steel blade engravings of battle scenes can be seen.   

 

Accompanying the sword is General Grants’ field coat (or sack coat as it is called) is a custom made loose fitting jacket made from fine wool broadcloth. The collar is trimmed in black velvet.    After Grant’s death in July 1885, his wife, Julia, gave the coat   to   Brigadier General William Hillyer who was Grant’s   Aide-de-Camp and close friend during   the American Civil War.    Julia Grant and Mrs. Hillyer were also close friends and traveled   together during and after the war. The coat   descended   through the   Hillyer family until   1994 when a private collector purchased it. This museum is the second owner since it left the Hillyer family. General Grant   probably had three wartime coats in addition to this one.    None have survived. It is generally known that Julia Grant cut buttons and pieces of Grant’s uniforms to give to family and friends. We believe this coat (minus the buttons) survived because General Grant wore it to meet Robert E. Lee as Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Grant recorded he wore a “private’s jacket” which was wrinkled and dusty.     From a distance, this coat looks like a private’s sack coat with four buttons down the front.   The coat, as displayed, is the way it came from the Hillyer family.

 

Also displayed is General Grant's cigar. His Adjutant, George Clark, kept this partially smoked cigar as a memento from the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor, VA.

 

The museum’s operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission prices are $6 for adults and $3 for students ages 7-12. Children 6 years and under are free. Group discounts are available.   The museum is closed on major holidays.

The museum is located at 760 Jim Wright Freeway North (West Loop 820 N.) in Fort Worth.   Information about the museum can be obtained by calling 817-246-2323. More information is available at the museum’s Web site: www.texascivilwarmuseum.com.