Civil War Carpetbag from a Museum (SOLD)

This really is a great piece being offered, it is an original Civil War Carpetbag. The leather base of the body measures approximately 15” x 4 1/2”, and with the leather handles extended, it is about 13” high. The brass face-plate of the lock remains, with the lock itself on the inside; it would have used a generic type key. The interior is lined with a light fabric with a separation for two sections. 

With the rapid expansion of railroads just prior to the Civil War, ordinary people were traveling in large numbers, and there was a need for cheap luggage, so thousands of carpetbags were manufactured. They were usually made by saddle and harness makers in a variety of sizes – this one being about the typical size.

They were called carpet bags because the makers would buy old carpets and construct the bags from the sections which weren’t completely worn out. This was how they could be manufactured cheaply; they sold in Dry Goods stores for $1 to $2. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, this is what the average soldier would have carried when he left home. The size was ideal for an extra pair of socks, a shirt, change of underwear, and a few personal items. Many soldiers held on to their carpetbags throughout the war, especially officers, who weren’t issued haversacks or back packs. The brass locks on these carpetbags are a common find at Civil War sites.

Now, what is truly great about this piece is that it was deacessed from the Newark Museum, in Newark, New Jersey (see pictures). The museum was founded in 1909 and is the state’s largest museum. It was on display in the museum for the early part of the 20^th century. Newark was one of the major manufacturing cities for Civil War accoutrements during the Civil War and later for veteran’s medals and ribbons.

On the base of the carpetbag is an old cloth tag with “NEWARK MUSEUM”, along with a museum inventory number. In early museum displays, it was typical to have the item identified for the visitor with a hand-written card, and later typed with the invention of the typewriter. Amazingly, the original type-written description, titled “CIVIL WAR – Carpet Bag”, typed on card-stock, remained inside the carpetbag.  

Many years ago, I did a Civil War exhibit at the Newark Museum, along with some informal appraising of some of their Civil War items. It was also at this time I got to meet the great, great, grandson of General Ulysses S. Grant, Ulysses Grant Dietz. He viewed my display and we had a few moments to take some pictures and to discuss the Civil War. 

There are soldier-identified carpetbags in The Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia, by Francis Lord and an identified example in my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items” (see pictures). There is another near identical example of this carpetbag that belonged to 1^st Lieutenant John Wesley Clark of the 6^th Vermont Infantry, who won the Medal of Honor during the Civil War.

Overall condition of the bag is very nice with only minor wear and a few separations to some of the carpeting (easily stitched up if desired). They go great with a display of a soldier’s personal effects. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a museum piece which was no doubt viewed by many Civil War veterans. It will be shipped flat; some pictures show it when filled with bubble-wrap for display.