1999-037-P-001-001

1999-037-P-001-001

Cabinet Card photo of Bullet Splintered Tree at McCoull's Farm, Spotsylvania with provenance on back supplied by the Mayor's office Fredericksburg and the common council, Aug. 1, 1884

unknown

Gift of Lucille H. Ingalls

Central Rappahannock Heritage Center

ca. 1884

Caitlin Ervin

JPEG of physical photograph

card with photo and text

[on front] Davis [emblem] Fredericksburg and Richmond, VA.

[on reverse] 497.--'The Bullet Splintered Tree." This Tree was 15 inches in diameter, and stood near the McCoull Farm, in Spotsylvania County, Va., in front of what the Confederates called "THE BLOODY BEND," where Gen. Hancock made that memorable charge on May 12, 1864, capturing the assailant point and compelling the surrender of Gen. Edward Johnston, with a number of the Confederates. 'Twas prior to this charge of Hancock's that this Tree, standing between the contending armies, and near the Confederate works, was literally riddled and torn in shreds of Minnie balls from the Union line of battle. After the war the owner of the land sold the tree to W.J. Moon, and Mr. Moon sold it to its present owner. There is not, therefore, and cannot be any dispute or doubt about the history of the tree or the facts herein stated.
MAYOR's OFFICE, FREDERICKSBURG, VA., August 1, 1884.
W.J. Moon and J.W. Colbert, both citizens of this place, are personally known to us to be gentleman of character and reliability.
JOSIAH HAZARD, Mayor.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
S.J. Quinn
M.G. Willis.
Chas. E. Hunter.
H.R. Gouldman.
E. Dorsey Cole.
J.H. Myer.
J.G. Hurkamp.
M.B. Rowe.
J.S. Knox.
T. McCracken.
Isaac Hirsh.

[affixed label] Cotton & Hills,
Prop'rs Exchange Hotel.
L. Cotton,
P.C. Post 68, G. A. R.,
Dep't of Connecticut

[handwritten] Mrs. C. G. Heflin - Knoxanna Apt. Fredericksburg Va.