Grouping of Wallet, mirror, and Virginia currency belonging to a Confederate soldier in the 7th Virginia Infantry – Pickett’s Division (SOLD)

This really is a great identified grouping being offered, it is a wallet with a Virginia five-dollar bill and a wooden swivel mirror. They belonged to Private James Gay of Company H, 7^th Virginia Infantry. In the Historical Data Systems, Inc. it states, his enlistment date was unknown, as well as his muster out date. However, it did say he was discharged because of heart disease.

On the wallet, Private Gay wrote “JAMES GAY / 7 Regt / VA Inf. Carved into the wooden cover of the mirror is the same information. The currency is a cut-cancelled FIVE-DOLLAR bill from the CENTRAL BANK OF VIRGINIA.

The 7th Infantry Regiment was organized in May 1861, and fought at First Manassas under General Early, then served with Ewell, A.P. Hill, Kemper, and W.R. Terry. In April 1862, the regiment had 700 effectives and later was active in the various campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Gettysburg.

It participated in Longstreet's Suffolk expedition, was prominent in the capture of Plymouth, then fought at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor. The 7th continued the fight in the Petersburg trenches south of the James River and around Appomattox. It sustained 47 casualties at First Manassas, 77 at Williamsburg, 111 at Frayser's Farm, 59 at Second Manassas, and 4 at Fredericksburg.

At Gettysburg the 7^th was under Kemper’s Brigade, Longstreet’s First Corps – Pickett’s Division. On July 3^rd, they took part in Longstreet’s assault (Pickett’s Charge) upon the Union position in the vicinity of the Angle. Exposed to a severe fire of artillery and vigorously assailed beyond the Emmitsburg Road by infantry on the right flank with ranks thinned and much disorganized by its losses especially of officers it pressed on against the Union line at the stone wall where after a fierce encounter the struggle ended.

Gen. J. L. Kemper fell wounded in front of the stone wall. Of the 335 engaged at Gettysburg about forty percent were disabled. The regiment lost 31 men killed, 82 wounded, and 36 missing. Colonel Patton was shot through the jaw, a mortal wound, and captured. Lt. Colonel Flowertree took command of the survivors.

Like I said, this is a great grouping, and from a soldier who fought with one of the most celebrated units in the Army of Northern Virginia. Only 20 officers and men were present at the surrender in Appomattox. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.