Item: ONSV21SBF27
Original U.S. Civil War Battle of Gettysburg Shrapnel Stricken “War Log”
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Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an incredible Civil War Artifact hailing from the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the site of the most decisive battle of the war. “War Logs” were highly sought after relics in the decades following the American Civil War. These logs started to become popularized by veterans who harvested them after returning to the areas in which they had fought. By the 1870s-1880s, the battle damaged trees, now having healed and continuing to grow, made for rather dramatic display pieces with the iron projectiles being absorbed into the wood.
No better of a poignant reminder to the veterans of the Civil War than a piece of a tree, which much like themselves, had not only endured the crucible of combat, but lived on to show the scars of battle decades later. The concept of the popular “War Log” was not only appealing to illustrate the incredible amount of fatal iron that was airborne at a typical Civil War battle, but also appealed to the sentimentality of those living in the Victorian age. By the turn of the 20th Century, most War Logs had been harvested and displayed as curiosities in Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Halls, museums, civic halls, and so forth.
Our War Log was once part of the collection of well-known collector Dr. Michael “Doc” Colella, and was recently sold from his collection. The log is a section of White Oak Tree, which is common on the Gettysburg Battlefield. The log was struck by three iron canister balls, and two large fragments from twelve pound spherical shells. Upon having the log X-Rayed (Yes, we really went that far!) a small iron shrapnel fragment was found to be embedded into the log as well! On the top of the log is an old brass tag (of approximately 1890s vintage we would guess), secured with nails. According to “Doc”, this particular War Log was once on display in a G.A. R. Hall ( and then town hall) in the village of Holland Patent, Oneida County, New York. This Upstate New York Village is just a few miles due north of Utica, New York. The log measures 25.5” tall, and 8” in diameter at it’s widest point. The log stands up on it own with the Gettysburg plaque clearly displayed. Also included are printed copies of X-rays taken of the log which show all the internal pieces of shrapnel and projectiles.
There is unfortunately no way to clearly determine what portion of the battlefield our log originates. We do believe, based on similar war logs, with similar damage, and of the White Oak species, that it came from the “Valley of Death” which extends from the area adjacent to Devil’s Den and Little Round Top, and extends up to the Trostle Farm. However, there are also similar segments of White Oak hailing from the “Copse of Trees” at the High Water Mark on Cemetery Ridge (site of Pickett’s Charge). These areas were under incredible fire from musket and artillery fire. We cannot say for certain, however, which area this particular War Log we are offering originated, other than the Gettysburg Battlefield itself.
War Logs rarely, if ever, come to market. They have proven to be one of the most popular souvenirs of the American Civil War. Just as popular of an artifact they were 125 years ago with members of the G.A.R. and other veteran’s groups, they are just as popular today as well. Perfect for the centerpiece of a Civil War collection (as they often were in veteran’s lodges in the late 19th Century). This is a very rare opportunity to obtain a highly coveted War Log, and one from the most famous engagement of the Civil War; the Battle of Gettysburg.
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