Support provided by:
The Case:
While going through some boxes that belonged to her parents, Gale Bay made a startling discovery: in an envelope labeled “relics” she found a swatch of tattered, red fabric about an inch round which apparently belonged to her Great-grandfather, Ira Wilson, also known as Ira Underhill Travis.
Her family had collected several letters that Ira Wilson wrote from Alexandria, VA including one in May of 1861 in which he refers to his slain commander, Col. Ellsworth. A Col. Elmer Ellsworth was the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. A Virginia innkeeper shot Ellsworth at close range as he removed a confederate flag that President Lincoln could see from the White House.
Gale asks History Detectives host Gwen Wright to find out if this red piece of fabric came from the flag that cost Col. Ellsworth his life.
Season 10, Episode 4
Detective:
Gwen Wright
Location:Alexandria, Virginia and Saratoga Springs, New York
Letters Home from Ira Wilson
Read some of the letters Ira Wison wrote home from the battlefront.
Related Content
Feature:
Explore
-
Also with Gwen Wright
Isleton Tong
Was this building a safe haven for persecuted immigrants, or a hub for organized crime?
-
Related Investigation
Dueling Pistols
Were these pistols used in the last great duel on U.S. soil?
-
Also in Civil War: 1850-1877
Mark Twain's Watch
Was this watch a gift from noted author American author Mark Twain?
-
Related Investigation
Slave Banjo
Is this the only surviving banjo carried by former slaves following Emancipation?
-
Also in Civil War: 1850-1877
John Hunt Morgan Saddle
Could this be a saddle from one of the most audacious attacks launched by the South during the Civil War?
-
Also in Civil War: 1850-1877
General Lee's Farewell Address
Could this be a signed copy of one of the most famous documents in the history of the Civil War?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have a Civil War object? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentWow, we came to this site this morning to find out what had happened. We were looking forward to the end of this episode, naturally assuming there was going to be a meeting between the Chief and the family who now "owns" the pectoral, and it abruptly ended. We see (1 hour ago)
- TwitterAre you watching History Detectives tonight? Retweet if you are. Some great reactions tonight! Which is your favorite? (13 hours ago)
- FacebookNice job Wes!!! -Tukufu Zuberi (13 hours ago)