Sam Box - Shelby's Old Brigade

[BLUEHAWK]

From a colleague militaria collector:
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"... The grouping came from the veteran's daughter and includes his UCV uniform, various papers and memorabilia, as well as many photographs. I have also done research on this grouping and found that he went South with General Shelby at the end of the war and refused to surrender. He was with Shelby when they marched into Mexico in 1865 and buried their colors in the Rio Grande rather than surrender them. He stayed in the confederate colony in Mexico for about ten years and then re-entered the United States by ship through Oregon. He never signed a Parole that I can find.

This uniform consists of the coat, vest, and trousers and is of the rank of Lt. Colonel in the UCV. While he was a Trooper in the 3rd Missouri Cavalry during the war he held the rank of Lt. Col. in the UCV while he was head of the Confederate Veterans Home in Oklahoma during WWI. These veteran homes were established and operated by the Governments of the various old Confederate States as there were no federal pensions or facilities for Confederate Veterans.

Reduced: 85% of original size [ 600 x 450 ] - Click to view full image


The uniform is UCV regulation with UCV S&F buttons and insignia. The coat is cut in the cutaway sack coat style and here is a view of the back of the coat...

This vet died in 1921 and received a UCV funeral. I was able to find his obituary in the local paper and it indicates that he died at home while waiting for a ride to the 1921 UCV Reunion. He was subsequently buried with full military honors performed by the United Confederate Veterans. Part of the paperwork with the grouping includes his funeral bill marked "Paid in Full." I was able to find his grave in the cemetary and took a picture of his tombstone.

Reduced: 82% of original size [ 618 x 450 ] - Click to view full image


He is buried next to his wife and I have many photographs of both of them side by side over the years..."