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- "Infantry Drill - Bayonet Practice," Black Soldiers in World War I - Andrew Purnell Jr. (1898-1975) was born in Selma, Alabama. He joined the all-Black 303rd Stevedore Regiment (with later unit designations) in December 1917. Private Purnell was stationed in Bordeaux, France. He returned to the U.S. in 1919, married, and worked as a railroad freight handler. Like many service members, Purnell kept cards, letters, photographs, and souvenirs from his time in the military.
- 1917-1918
- Collections - Artifact
"Infantry Drill - Bayonet Practice," Black Soldiers in World War I
Andrew Purnell Jr. (1898-1975) was born in Selma, Alabama. He joined the all-Black 303rd Stevedore Regiment (with later unit designations) in December 1917. Private Purnell was stationed in Bordeaux, France. He returned to the U.S. in 1919, married, and worked as a railroad freight handler. Like many service members, Purnell kept cards, letters, photographs, and souvenirs from his time in the military.
- Enfield 1856 Pattern Sword Bayonet - Armies during the Civil War used a variety of weapons. Soldiers attached bayonets to the ends of rifles -- providing stabbing power during charges when loading a rifle quickly was impossible. Both Union and Confederate armies used this type of a model 1856 Enfield saber bayonet. This bayonet, according to the tag, was later purchased by Thomas Edison as a gift for his father.
- 1861-1865
- Collections - Artifact
Enfield 1856 Pattern Sword Bayonet
Armies during the Civil War used a variety of weapons. Soldiers attached bayonets to the ends of rifles -- providing stabbing power during charges when loading a rifle quickly was impossible. Both Union and Confederate armies used this type of a model 1856 Enfield saber bayonet. This bayonet, according to the tag, was later purchased by Thomas Edison as a gift for his father.
- U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Rifle, 1881-1882 -
- 1881-1882
- Collections - Artifact
U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Rifle, 1881-1882