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ar Vol. 40 No. 3 / 2017 $8.00 / 2017 $8.00 Vol. 40 No. 3

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North South Trader’s South North ivil The magazine for collectors & historians Founded 1973 Founded 1973 collectors & historians for The magazine C Auction Premier Spring Firearms Firearms Spring Premier April 17, 18 & 19, 2020 | Fairfield, ME | Fairfield, 19, 2020 17, 18 & April

Serving in the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, Louisiana Artillery of Washington Serving in the

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poulinauctions.com | 207-453-2114 | [email protected] | 199 Skowhegan Rd, Fairfield, ME 04937 | Stephen Poulin, ME Lic # 1115 Poulin, ME 04937 | Stephen Fairfield, | 199 Skowhegan | 207-453-2114 | [email protected] Rd, poulinauctions.com

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Firearms & Militaria Auctioneers Poulin Auctions is proud to offer The of Captain Cuthbert H. Slocum, CSA The Uniforms of Captain Cuthbert Auctions is proud to offer Poulin Vol. 40 No. 3 2017 39 NST CW by Stephen W. Sylvia - Wash members of the vaunted Below, Right, portrait of Slocomb wearing his wearing of Slocomb portrait Right, Artillery insignia. Courtesy Washington Orleans, Hall, New Memorial Confederate Louisiana. campsite Artillery are seen at their ington wearing their are still in early 1862. They Library of Courtesy navy blue shell jackets. Congress. - Slocomb’s Slocomb’s first Washington Artilleryuniform jacket incorporated Federal elements along with militia flair. follows It the Federal regulation shell artillerypattern and shouldercolor, boards with sec- ond lieutenant’s single bar, and eagle vest buttons. The gold braid framing the collar and the exagger the of flair the add sleeves the on knots Austrian ated replaced be to soon was jacket This militia. Southern Sylvia. Steve gray version. Photo, a Confederate by - - -

ioneer collector George F. Markham, Jr.’s Markham, Jr.’s Georgeioneer collector F. many collectors to not be known name may is central to the story but it oftoday, Cuth- Artillery of New Orleans

George born was in Wisconsin. After in 1916 II beganUnit- in the he enlisted War When World veteran Upon returning life the young to civilian He had uniformsthe dry-cleaned and enjoyed of the prestigious Washington of the prestigious Washington An astonishingly rare group of An astonishingly

uniforms identified to an officer uniforms identified high school he attended the University of University the attended he high school Virginia, where he nurtured passion his lifelong for the his- tory of War. the Civil ed States Navy and became an aviator. He flew in Coral Sea, and and the combat missions at Midway a lieutenant commander. end he was at war’s amassed one ofand eventually collecting continued of collections largest private nation’s the documents, In the course and books. maps, manuscripts, letters, of non-ephemera. In also purchased he collecting Abra renowned from Chicago’s he acquired 1957 Bookshop a groupham Lincoln ofar Confederate tilleryuniforms as “all for a captain in described he Confederate service.” ofownership With- them for the next three decades. in George’s carefully documented files areseveral photos ofPolaroid wearing daughter his 12-year-old uniformsthe shortly Today’s he bought them. after cringemight collectors notion ofthe at dry-cleaning to actu a youngster or allowing historic textiles such It must then. different were times ally don but them, than a century less was war that the be remembered rearviewin the mirror collectibles and associated the might nor as they as fragile as expensive neither were be today. bert Slocomb’s well-preserved uniform grouping. bert Slocomb’s

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Cuthbert H. Slocomb H. Cuthbert Uniforms of Capt. Capt. of Uniforms

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38 NST CW Vol. 40 No. 32 2017 4141 NST NST CW CW - - - - - ” at the cuff. The buttons are 3/8

Near right, Slocomb’s steel gray wool

nate nate in 6” cuffs. The buttons on the front are Louisiana pelican motif and sleeves are US staff cuff buttons. This may on the be the only surviving matched set of Con federate uniforms in private hands. Photos Sylvia. this page, Steve broadcloth shell jacket is the mate to the frock coat. Both feature lavish early war quality and are also lined with the cloth. same As with the frock coat, the elbows are exagerrated at 9 ½” across and culmi Federal staff officer’s pattern. officer’s staff Federal Matching sets of uniform coats for field and field for coats uniform of sets Matching date and made occasionally only were dress to early in the war when expensive fabric and tailored finery werestill Southern hall marks marks among the wealthy. The steel grey wool broadcloth frock coat at far right - fea tured the Austrian knot on its sleeves, help- ing itsconfirm fabrication. early It war was designed with an elaborate plastron-type front, very wide at the top and narrowing dramatically to the waist. - at 9” across and narrow exaggerated quite elbow The is ing to 5 The French-style is fashioned of red wool red of fashioned is kepi French-style The band broadcloth blue dark a with broadcloth around the bottom. The measuresroll, the including top to edge rear from 5/8” 5 and 1 ¾” in front. The is single thick ness black patent leather, 1 ¾” deep at the front and without edging. The chinstrap is black painted or patent leather and is miss ing buttons. It is interlined throughout the body, not the top, with cottoncanvas. Gold braid and quatrefoil braid is hand sewn to the cap.

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- - letters. the infrared the infrared photography photography The results of The results confirmed the - - The once-overlooked inscription on the underside of the of underside the on inscription once-overlooked The collar tab. Infrared photography (above) confimed it. Photo at left, SteveSylvia; photo at right, Rick Martin Photography. ’s Vol. 19 No. No. 19 Vol. ’s I was given the opportunity the groupto display given in a I was The uniformsfor more than two on display then went It is the only Confederate receiving hospital still stand- hospital still receiving only Confederate the is It group as “perhaps most importantthe group of company uniformsofficers’ in existence.” still Based on no other definitive name association, the group referred loosely became group “Maynard” as the to even though Markham, Jensen, and others were unable to find a Louisiana artillery officerby that name.W. E. Therewas a Artilleryof Washington 2nd Company, in the Maynard New rank. an enlisted man’s rose above Orleans but he never articlein cover feature NSTCW The 5 in 1992. article “The titled for was Quest CSA.” Captain Maynard, that acknowledged We to a mys connection the ten was Maynard terious search the and that uous continue. would decades in the historic Gordonsville Exchange Hotel Mu- constructedhotel a Georgian-style Once seum. as in 1860 part of ofrailroad the system accommodations for pas- strate its intersections, rail line trains at sengerschanging gic location caused it to be drafted into Confederate ser into Confederate to be drafted it location caused gic ofthousands accommodated hospital. It as a receiving vice and groundsits became soldiers from both sides, wounded for hundreds ofa graveyard soldiers who did not survive. ing in Virginia, and in the 1980s it fittingly became a Civil was focus museum’s the ago, years Several museum. War changed from traditional militaryto highlighting its displays the became it period when postwar role as a hospital and the ofoffice of Bureau. Displays Freedman’s the local medical materials replacedand related equipment uniformsthe and weapons. - - When George Markham grew he generouslyolder dis- uniform the the philanthropist presented In 1987 group curator ofthen Jensen, Les of Museum the Confed- the Mr. reportJensen’s confirmed that the sizes of all the Several facts firmly establish that the group emanated report, the described he In Jensen’s ap- most would he among those his collection persed Theit. preciate of Museum Confederacy in Richmond, the of the recipient Virginia, was and pho maps, books, 1,793 - Stuart, Brecken Mosby, from Jackson, letters along with tos Bragg, ridge, Longstreet, and Beauregard.letters Sixty-one E. Lee. from Robert were Confederate artilleryhere to a young featured reenactor in correspon struck an enjoyable up - he’d Virginia whom with Markham had no and relics. its War about the Civil dence background information of on original the owner uni- the forms ofone that mentioned but gauntlets the accom that grouppanied the the inscription inside inked faint had a cuff and “1864.” with the name “Maynard” and currenteracy curator of Military- Acad Point West the agreedMuseum, emy a reportexamine and compose to on of consisted which double- group, the two jackets, shell two one artillery coat, one vest, one sack coats, breasted frock styletwo and kepi, slouchhat, sashes, one officer’s officer’s a pair ofphotographed,measured, carefully He gauntlets. examination his but at the time did piece, and each studied ofidentity to the any other clues not reveal Confederate the officer. high consistent the also noted He same. the were coats ofquality is and jacket shell One dress frock tailoring. the ofbolt same from the made set a matched ac- which, cloth, if is “highly unusual, cording to Jensen not unique.” the was instance, slouch from Louisiana. For directories city of(Wartime D’Arcy by made Orleans. New suggest this may have been hatter Mrs. James D’Arcy, or ofDarcy, Chartres Street rather D’Arcy than Canal Street’s firmclothing the Wheeler, of& Wil- and D’Arcy G. Henry Wheeler). of Most liam G. coats the - manu bear Louisiana seal buttons, state and all have script A, or US types, eagle red trim ofthe artillery the ofbranch service, even the vest. This confirms that the officer who wore this group was a Louisiana artillery officer—1st a man ofthen captain--and lieutenant, means and taste. - -

Standard Standard Confederate officer’s double-breasted frock of light weight weight cadet gray wool with 14 rare “Halfmann cloth & Taylor man- English Old Montgomery” / uscript A buttons on two rows in front, four in back, and three on each cuff. Unlike Slocomb’s early frock with wishbone-style front, this has the two button rows in a nearly straight and rectangular arrangement. It is lined with sky and piped blue with red broadcloth, wool with yellow braid tape compos ing the captain’s collar insignia. It is, in Les Jensen’s words, “a very well-tailored frock,” “original and untouched,” and “in Sylvia Steve Photos, condition.” immaculate

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42 NST CW Vol. 40 No. 3 2017 45 NST CW - The composed unit was all four 1861, 26, On May of the upper crustof New armed and Orleans society, outfitted in expensive and dis- uniforms militia-style tinctive funds. with private purchased Theuniformdress consisted ofwith coats frock dark blue blue red trim, sky blue or royal white red stripe, with trousers and inspired by red kepi gaiters, artillerythe French uniforms of era. the Crimean War ofcompanies Washington the uthbertHarrison 16, born Slocomb was August By the Orleans New family. to a wealthy 1831, of a senior partnerdawn he was in War, Civil the In Camp and Battle with the Washington Artillery Battalion, In Camp and Washington Battle with the The family was noted for its propriety, diligence, and propriety, for its The noted was family 2nd in the as a lieutenant Slocomb enlisted 1861 In May This astounding information was - more av and opened - 5th Com and name rank, Captain Cuthbert H. Slocomb, Artillery of Washington pany, Orleans. New All the officers and men of our battalionwere uniformed the and resembled commands, many other were as in blue, oflot A troops. distributed were Federal strips red-flannel the thriving mercantile business ofbusiness mercantile the thriving & Baldwin Slocomb, more than worth was he census 1860 the to According Co. his Between property. and personal in real estate $330,000 worth was Slocomb family the mother, and their siblings the war. more $1 million before as city served native his Slocomb even responsibility. civic firemana andvolunteer rose through the ranks to the posi- tion of of foreman, the equivalent chief in that era. Artilleryof Washington an elite Company, Orleans, New military organization. It is believed that the independent the not long after title a different under originated likely unit founding of Washington As the in 1718. City Crescent the itself unit distinguished the Artillery, with during war the Mexico in 1849. into Con mustered were Slocomb, including Lt. Artillery, service.federate departedthey The day next for Virginia remained behind to form 20 men who of save the nucleus a fifth company. The original four companies arrived Virginia in in time to participate in the first major action of author Virginia. William M. Owen, at Manassas, war the of described the predicament. history Slocomb’s then examined We for research. enues and militaryif see records to backgroundthe add to could it of the group. C His updated reportHis updated states: I have, however, now physically reexamined the coat in coat reexamined the physically now however, I have, you. photographed as have mark, the have and question, The is obviously and coat, original markto the is clearly ‘Capt. with C.H.’ the last name a bit more difficult to read. preceding letter and a tall ... ‘loco’ a clear however, Thereis, it before the first letter of the last name, which itself has a examination, both with On extensive bottom. the loop at appears it photographs, enhanced and with eye naked the that the name is probably and ‘Slocomb’ full inscription the that matches individual one Only Slocomb.’ C.H. ‘Capt. lacked a tab and it was not a known location for inscriptions for inscriptions location a known not was and it a tab lacked uniforms the examined he originally when prior. decades Examination Examination under strong light revealed “Capt. C.H.” dared we nearly palpable as was excitement the now By submitted We our findings to LesJensen, who- reexam was written in cursive and was difficult to decipher. decipher. to difficult and was in cursive written was and the letters “loco” flankedby other illegible letters. At tried we Next, no avail. to light, black tried point we this infrared photographyof assistance the with photog- noted Martin.rapher Rick of identity hope for the captain to be re- Confederate the The ofresults vealed. infrared photographythe confirmed the letters. ined the coat, confirmed and amended his ourconclusions, report to affirm the findings. He initial examination as many coats during his collar tabs the had not looked under - - - -

I was asked by Sam Sam Higginbotham, by asked collector renowned I was had I display on went first uniforms the since years the In

ing with captain’s ing collar with insignia captain’s of the same material, and the front is fastened with three large Hyde & Goodrich-backmarked pelican motif (Albert’s LA 2A) buttons and one unmarked Louisiana pelican button. Two pelican cuff buttons adorn each sleeve. The coat was somewhat shapeless and didn’t proclaim rank snip that might invite er fire—although in Slocomb’scase that apparently didn’t help. He was shot twice during his service, and both shoulders of the coat re Sylvia. Steve Photos, and bloodstains. rips veal patched The concept of a uniform coat designed for practicality and comfort This century. 19th the in new relatively was appearances than rather example was loose-fitting witha fall collar. It was reinforced in the seams, exterioroffered and interior was pockets, lined in the sleeves with less confining unbleachedcotton osnaburg, and the body coat’s was only lined in the breast. It is trimmed in red wool moreen pip riosity. I was stunned to observe stunned I was a barely discernable name riosity. it but Maynard, on one ofit wasn’t tell could We the tabs. and supporter of the organization that manages the hotel, of task the with to assist artifacts packing and removing - and exam cases the unlocked We cases. display from the against piece packed and carefully ined each inventory the transport.them for learnedof century19th by location used tailors an unlikely of Theside back goodsmark their to customer. for the the narrowoccasionally servedcollar tabs as an inconspicuous I piece each later unpacked As we spot for inking a name. of at the underside looked coat tabs out of the simple cu

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44 NST CW Vol. 40 No. 3 2017 47 NST CW - - For For decades it was thought that the faint in only the were “1864” and “Maynard” scriptions clues to the grouping’s original owner, but no suitable Maynard could be located to associ ate with the pieces. It is now known that that was a red herring and the uniforms were the property of Cuthbert Slocomb. The “Maynard” inscription in the gauntlets remains amystery, although there were a number of Maynards in the New Orleans area. Photos this page, Steve Sylvia. Slocomb’s uniform uniform Slocomb’s has two grouping one on sashes. The earlier dates the left on the than the one right. - This is a jacket befitting a lieutenant in the eliteWash- The groupmen- previously the by is also distinguished indi- is adorned knot, Thecoat frock Austrian the with likewise was set the accompanied that Thejacket shell The condition of It is likely unused. is practically set the groupin the coat Therefrock another double-breasted is The Austrian knot was briefly adoptedby the Confederate officers made it because 1862 in discontinued armywas but sharpshooters. to enemy more conspicuous even ington Artilleryre- regulations Confederate before in 1861, widespread. and insignia were style, garding, color, of set tioned matching coat and sin- frock double-breasted bolt ofsame made from the jacket shell gle-breasted cloth. photograph at Anderson’s photos taken There are several Orleans in New ofstudio this Capt. Slocomb wearing frock and an coat unadornedone in to the identical kepi the collection. cating that the pair of coats was made during the first year of made upon been have Thiswould set matching war. the attainment of rank in early 1862. Slocomb’s captain’s broad woolen expensive same the tailored with beautifully Scovill with 6) (LA buttons seal state Louisiana Seven cloth. adornbackmarks the coat. for or special in kept storage,home, possibly at were these formal occasions. the lacks as it set than the later made was likely most that Austrian knots. Even so, like the abovementioned frock measurements, same tailored and bears the well is it coat, ofquality piping, insignia, and consistent the tailoring as Old rare with manuscript It fastens in the group. other coats English A buttons with “Halfmann & / Taylor Montgom- - - -

ur next task was matching the uniforms matching was ur next task to Slo- militaryis service. The shell jacket black comb’s ofin photos ofseen style the Artil - Washington

Slocomb recovered from this wound in a hospital in from wound this Slocomb recovered he returned to war, After the He had not long to live. By autumn the dark blue shell jackets, frock coats, and coats, frock jackets, shell blue dark the autumn By armyAs the quarters into winter settled in November During the unit’s first engagement at Shiloh, Slocomb - on Au WhileJonesboro company at commanding the ing him around like a top. He did not fall, but it knocked knocked it but not fall, did He a top. ing him around like once at saw We turned and his face pale. him breathless, badly hurtthat he was and led him away. Our captain, C.H. Slocomb, also was wounded at Jonesboro. at Jonesboro. wounded also was Slocomb, Our C.H. captain, He fighting. the in ofgroup lull a a to during up us came He was smiling (he had a sweet smile) and holding out a pone instant, At that ofdivide.” “I’ll said he, corn bread. “Boys,” twirl thud it was, A powerful struckhe was in the shoulder.

to us to be tied upon the left arm above the elbow. And arm left upon the elbow. the tied be to us to above them. wore so we

O South Carolina. He rejoined the company in December and December in company the rejoined He Carolina. South commanded until the surrender 8, 1865. on May but he operations mercantile in Orleans, New his family’s ofin 1873 died aiding the while he had contracted an illness poor of New Orleans.

blue and the replaced gray, Confederate with were trousers uniforms Thegaiters and white storage. put into only were ofitem distinctive the remained was that dress prewar their red kepi. 2nd Company from the and re- Slocomb resigned Lt. 1861, He rose turnedcompany. new Orleans to join the New to com- spring took 1862 ranks through the and by quickly mand ofofend the captain until remaining its B, Co. hos- tilities. Slocomb chose to remain in the field and declined staffpromotions higher to preferring rear to combat ranks, duties. echelon and re- recovered He breast. in the wounded seriously was batterythe commanded He unit. joined the of scores in skirmishesPerryville, including Mur and major actions, freesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Resaca, Dalton, MissionaryChickamauga,Ridge, freesboro, Mobile. and Fort, Spanish Atlanta, Jonesboro, Pvt. wound. his second Slocomb received 1864, 31, gust Philip Daingerfield Stephensonofand wrote gun emplacements in the witnessed War in his Civil it the incident memoir: trian knot, which was then in vogue with European armies. trian knot, then was which in with vogue European armies. lerymen before and during the early months of the war. lerymen months ofearly before and during the war. the TheArmy-patternStates Unites has typical tunic shoul- red der boards with a first lieutenant’s single bar andvest-size from are decorated cuff The sleeves buttons. eagle Federal with the gold the elbow as the Aus braid known to above

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46 NST CW Vol. 40 No. 3 2017 49 NST CW - - - ”-wide brown [cont. on p. 52] [cont. on p. 5/8 ” marked on it. The hat 1/8 1812 or late 18th century. ted cords and is likely War ofWar cords and is likely ted is maroon made ofsilk knot- The other is quite unusual. It Theunusual. quite other is One ofOne typical a is sashes the military goods companies. military goods companies. mercial product sold by many many sold by mercial product ton net sash. It is likely a com- It is likely sash. ton net hatmaker’s loyalties as well. as loyalties hatmaker’s crimson silk or cot War-era Civil ” wide black silk ribbon with two knots front Also on Canal Street was the Washburn pho- is lined with a bright dark blue silk stamped with PATENTED / HAT ARMY / “WARRENTED paint: gold 1863 NEW / ORLEANS.” D’ARCY/ City directories of New Orleans in the 1860s show D’Arcey operating Mrs. James a hat store on . Canal Sylvia. Steve Photo, Street tography studio, which captured this view of Slo comb in uniform. Courtesy Confederate Memorial comb in Confederate uniform. Courtesy Orleans, Louisiana. Hall, New leather sweatband with white paper sizing la and right. The inside has a 2 bel glued on with “7 The beautiful slouch hat has bound a ½”3 with wide brim a black silk ribbon and crown. a The base of the 5 crown is surrounded by a ¼” tall 5/16 The other piece of is the fine quality the classic Washington Artillery cap. It was often often Artillerywas It cap. Washington classic the adornedgoldsmall with insignia on cannon crossed the front. D’Arcy slouch hat. The high crowned hat is in ex- ribbon and lining its and retains condition cellent name and an 1863 bearing a goldmaker’s stamped occupation Although made during Federal date. ofdestined headgear still the was Orleans, New for a Confederate officer, serving as testimony the and likely connections to Slocomb’s - No Confederate officer’s uniform was complete without without complete was uniform officer’s Confederate No of pieces Two headgear represent both of the styles few hours work. I realized that this was in all likelihood a field. in the Slocomb by coat worn The one group accompanied this that a vest. also displays a high-gradeof quality ofmade is It fabric and cut. beige fas- is It collar. standing with cloth or satinet jean wool tened with eight cuff-size Louisiana pelican buttons with out backmarks. kepi red jaunty The Southern by officers. worn commonly dark blue band and goldwith is an example of quatrefoil

The last of the five tunics is a grey wool jeans cloth sack sack cloth jeans wool of a grey last is The tunics five the

Privately Privately tailored single-breasted beige Confederate vest of wool jean officer’s or satinet withcuff-size Louisiana pelican mo- tif buttons. Scarlet wool piping highlights yjr collar front edge and three pockets. Les Jensen believes the vest and sack coat may have been made by the same tailor as the pocket pipings and buttons indicate a“close Sylvia. Steve Photos, relationship.” coat, one of only a half dozen work—most surviving dirty Artillery is Confederate existence. in of- coats sack ficer’s after a residue in greasy powder black awash were crews ery” backmarks. The in design not as extravagant is coat ery”backmarks. morebut rather ofstandard the form nearly parallel with wear for winter intended was it possible is It rows. button in the fieldas it offered morewarmth thana shell jacket while being more appropriate for an officer than a shell or sack coat. This is the coat with the inked ID of Slocomb on the underside of collar tab. the

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Vol. 40 No. 3 2017 51 NST NST CW CW - - - — N.D. Rossbacher — N.D. - - After a decade of legal wrangling,reconciliations (oneinvolved a The couple lived in—wait for it—Chicago. In fact, McCormick’s Cuthbert’s not through traveled bulky uniforms the So perhaps If Fifi and her husband release did uniforms, the certainly they acknowledged paternity of Fifi’s youngest.) youngest.) of Fifi’s paternity acknowledged $500,000 diamond necklace), and more wrangling—including a court case estimatedto havecost Stillman $1 million—Fifiobtained a di vorce from Stillman in 1931. Within 24 hours she married Fowler Mc- Fowler married she hours 24 Within 1931. in Stillman from vorce Cormick, who Jr., was two decades her junior and had been a Princ- of her son. roommate eton family had long been entrenched in Chicago. They lived there in the - the opening of the Abra saw that the same decade which 1930s, was ham Lincoln Bookshop, where the Slocomb uniforms later emerged. They tocontinued live in the Chicago area until the mid-1950s, when they decamped for good to their huge ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona, group uniform the mentioned, previously As 1969. in died Fifi where in the 1950s. in Chicago ing surfaced safely stayed rather but whose fulltimeresidencewas Italy, daughter, stateside with his sister Carolina Augusta (Slocomb) Urquhart, then her daughter Mary Cora (Urquhart) Potter, and then daughter her Anne “Fifi” (Potter) Stillman McCormick,a resident of Chicago in the Book Lincoln the Abraham surfaced when uniforms mid-19th century shop in the Windy City. didn’t grandfather paternal do it Fowler McCormick’s the for money. was Cyrus McCormick of International Harvester fame and his ma- ternal grandfather was Nelson D. Just Rockefeller. perhaps the pas- connection direct than rather collateral a and century a nearly of sage been. have might than they less treasured made the uniforms - - - Right, her only child, Fifi, her Right, Left, Cuthbert Slocomb’s Cuthbert Slocomb’s Left, Mary Cora niece, headstrong the actress Urquhart, a.k.a. The red- Mrs. Potter-Brown. not only divorced haired beauty she be spouse, her financeer American one of the first came the stage. to take to socialites Library of Congress. Courtesy the scandal also provided when with ample news sheets her husband and she divorced married a Mc immediately heir Cormick and Rockefeller college who had been her son’s She and Fowler roommate. lived in Chicago McCormick, Jr., period of during the pertinent uniform time when the Slocomb there. grouping surfaced Her daughter Anne Urquhart “Fifi”Potter—described as “a stun With Stillman she hadfour children before Stillman filed for di even even after the divorce—she charmed audiences on both sides of the Sheretired starting withAtlantic, a play in London called War.” “Civil in 1936. acting in 1912 and died in from ning, vivacious redhead”—inherited not only her mother’s red-gold Fifi, who tradition. thumbingnose at her for hair but also a penchant married first was mother, actress her by road the on raised largely was Stillman. James Alexander City Bank president National to a Na by actually fathered child was youngest her alleging that vorce, tive American “half-breed” from Quebec. Fifi, in turn, alleged that Stillman had had illegitimatechildren with a chorus and also children of one of the chorine’s paternity acknowledged later girl. (Stillman - - - She and the Count, who She and the Count, Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s military effects is a 1932 trip New to Idana took his granddaughter Orleans with her husband. At a polo or any direct descendants having any of any having descendants direct or any grandfather’s her Idana “wore match, widow Abbie, daughter Countess Cora, Cora, Countess Abbie, daughter widow of that insignia”—presumably regimental The only mention haveI found of as- Cuthbert’s as Artillery, Washington the Widow Abbie Slocomb died in Zurich in 1944. sociation with that unit is mentioned in the in mentioned is unit that with sociation 1917 and Countess Cora died in Rome in preceding sentence in the news account. account. in the news sentence preceding

But the rest of his military effects, including effects, military his of rest the But work and for her social accomplishment.” and for work his uniforms, may not have traveled to Europe Europe to traveled not have may his uniforms, York and Chicago as in Italy for her philanthropic her philanthropic for as in Italy and Chicago York with Abbie and These Cora. cumbersome more was described as being “as well known in New in New known well described as being “as was items items may have remained for a time in Louisiana Old and New Lace in Italy. Old and New Lace in Italy. entry entry on aunt Cora’s Ida Slocomb Richardson, Cora with his sisters, of which he had two. They were Ida, were They two. had he which of sisters, his with Lake Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. In 1909, in a biographical who had no children, and Augusta, who married David who married David and Augusta, who had no children, Unity League, planted a “peace flag” of herown design at Urquhart and resided in New Orleans. Augusta had a in daugh Orleans. and New resided Augusta Urquhart Potter presented several letters as evidence of Mary Cora’s deser than that. be clearer to tough It’s Going by the “Mrs. moniker Brown-Potter”—astage name she used Peace Arbitration Movement, and in the name of the anti-war World’s World’s anti-war the of name the in and Movement, Arbitration Peace ter ter named Mary Cora Urquhart, “a luscious titian-haired beauty” who scandalized much of society when she left her financier husband James to a pursue oncareer Potter Brown thestage. in Their divorce eventual columns. the gossip for ample fodder 1900 provided tion,testifying that he had not given her “permission” become to in volved with the theatre. She wrote: “I am an We …artist are now. not now living in the dark ages when wives were slaves. P.S. I hate your family.” 1893 to display her world-class lace collection. Thiscoincided with the book, of her release fêted were was also atin involved Italian thefair, representing interests at receptions while in the city. In addition, Cora simultaneously served Club in Chicago. Woman’s of the Italian as chairwoman She returned to Chicago in 1897 as a lecturer for the International - - - -

ow did Cuthbert Slocomb’s uniforms wind up in Chicago wind up in Chicago uniforms did Cuthbert Slocomb’s ow - Abra the from purchased were when they 1950s, the by than one possible is more There Bookshop? ham Lincoln

Abbie joined Cora in Europe, where the affluent widow a than just more far was Cora daughter Cuthbert Slocomb’s All of Slocomb’s surviving immediate family family surviving immediate All of Slocomb’s Cuthbert Slocomb wed Abigail Hannah Abbie and Cora continued to live in

women who may have inherited the uniforms inherited have may who women Cuthbert’s descendants: The fascinating fascinating The descendants: Cuthbert’s SIDEBAR tling in Europe. She revived the Italian lace-making trade, a venture venture a trade, lace-making Italian the revived She Europe. in tling here shown is She Fair. World’s Chicago 1897 the at represented she Idana. daughter with her only child, Italian-born Center, Cuthbert Slocomb’s only child, who was born during the Civil the during born was who child, only Slocomb’s Cuthbert Center, War. She was the New Orleans carnival queen before becoming Countess Cora di Brazza and, along with her set widowed mother, - fa as “a described in newspapers Cora, ter car Orleans New the was belle”—she mous nival queen in 1881—met Count Detalmo di Brazza Savorgnan, who was an Italian attaché the time. at Count She became in Washington and she took in 1887, wed when they di Brazza ess near di Brazza Castle the ancestral at up residence Venice. in Switzerland. and summered in Italy wintered her in trade lace the revived singlehandedly nearly She face. pretty adopted region of Italy and traveled to the Fair Chicago in World’s members as well as most of their descendants of their descendants as most well as members were female. All of them bring to mind Rhett Butler’s comment about a woman!” “What Scarlett O’Hara: Orleans in both New raised who was Day, London, and Connecticut.New had They born circa Ann, who was one child, Cora 1862. Cora was a seasoned traveler by her accompanied when she seven, age parents on a transatlantic excursion in 1869. New Orleans for a timeafter Cuthbert’s death in 1873. In the mid-1880s daugh answer, and answer, in the following I will put to rest any notion that the wealthy and socially prominent Slocomb family We was but. anything were They boring. potentially fastidiously therefore and prim than with more Europe, Orleans to New from travel about to are a couple of stops in Chicago. There will be some scandals too. along the way, H

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CW CW Vol. 40 No. 3 2017 53 NST CW The preceding article appeared in Vol. 40 Thearticlepreceding appeared in Vol. mag- 3 of Civil War No. North South Trader’s & Antiques Poulin to supplied is and azine express permissionwith Auctions for use ofattendant to an auction 2020. spring - NSTCW and proprietor of Mosby J.S. Let us be gratefulLet for what has survivedas it is a intact, Antiques & Artifacts Virginia. in Orange, bre may still exist but ifbut exist still bre may or unknown their whereabout so, no longerhis name. with associated sadly, perhaps are, they Theof whereabout Artillery last pin was his Washington of a newspaper mention was there when in 1932 known (Please match. polo a at it wearing Idana granddaughter his and possible the descendants sidebar on the Slocomb’s see ofmovements his military effects.) national treasure—the finest collection of identified Con uniforms known. federate line officer’s of The author is publisher NSTCW - - -

While searching for details of for details Whilesearching Slocomb’s n 1865 a war-weary but proud Cuthberta war-weary n 1865 Harrison Slo- for his uniformscomb folded away them and packed and shirtsoften trousers, boots, Because posterity.

The gloves are grey leather with gauntlet cuffs. Like are grey Like Thegauntletwith leather gloves cuffs.

Both shoulders revealed crude field repairs—cloth seek been we’d gun” “smoking final the was this us, For

I the rest of the group, they are of the be appears to what bear they before, mentioned As finest quality. inside lightly and “7” inked and “1864” “Maynard” one glove. servicewas he read occurredit I’d that me to twice wounded in the upper breast/shoulder area, again and at Jonesboro, once at Shiloh, Tennessee, field “undress” his that me to occurred It Georgia. to the been subjected probably have would jacket trails ofreportthe I revisited combat. and closely photos ofexamined the Thecoat. pho sack the

tos oftos small patch revealed and out, inside coats, the made ar I immediately repairs in both upper breasts. rangements to inspect the coat again. small to mend outside and cross stitching inside patches raggedofinspection Close tears. cotton unbleached the top portionthe the that linings show ofosnaburg sleeve These are not shoulder bear stains. near the both sleeves of observedoften the type in armpitsthe but rather on the top portion of The coat had been both shoulders. to identical but the stain was dry-cleanedin the 1950s, on militarymany times seen bloodstains I’d bleached-out coats whose wearers had sustained wounds. ing. This was the coat Slocomb was wearing during both wearing coat Slocomb This the was was ing. battles when bullets struck and tore holes in his chest. him made the transition to civilian use, Slocomb’s probably got Slocomb’s use, civilian transition to the made and sa- revolver, His belt, discarded. and used eventually Another in-uniform view of Slocomb wearing his Washington Artillery Washington his wearing Slocomb of view in-uniform Another pin. Research revealed that his granddaughter was known to have his Courtesy pin as of 1932, but today. toits uslocation is unknown Lousiana. Orleans, Memorial Hall, New Confederate

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