Civil War complete boxed Chess Set, as in museum (SOLD)2

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a boxed Civil War Chess set. The complete set of 16 pieces of each, comes in a sliding wood box measuring 7” x 4” x 2 ½”, and there is a separation in the box for the pieces. The pieces are in natural wood and black and appear to be finished by hand.

Games were common on both sides during the war. They did a lot to keep the troops entertained and ease the constant boredom of soldier life. While in camp soldiers wanted to socialize with each other, there is no better way to socialize then to play games, especially if you are living in a Civil War tent with one or more men for a long period of time.

Soldiers played all kinds of Civil War card games, played checkers, chess, backgammon, and dominoes. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I have a near identical set pictured and I go into more detail about soldier’s recreation (see pictures). There is also a set in The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA (see pictures) and the Gettysburg Museum.