Gordon selected Fort Stedman, an earthen redoubt with a moat and nine-foot walls. Although imposing, Gordon believed it offered the greatest chance for success since it was located just 150 yards from the Confederate lines – the narrowest gap along the entire front. Lee amassed nearly half of his army in an attempt to break through Grant’s Petersburg defenses and threaten his supply depot at City Point. At 4:00 a.m. on the morning of March 25th, 11,000 Rebels overpowered Fort Stedman’s garrisons and Batteries X, XI, and XII. The Confederates were brought under a killing crossfire, and counterattacks led by Maj. Gens. Parke and Hartranft contained the breakthrough, cut off, and captured more than 1,900 of the attackers. During the day, elements of the II and VI Corps assaulted and captured the entrenched picket lines in their respective fronts, which had been weakened for the assault on Fort Stedman. The Rebels were unable to hold the captured ground, and they were driven back to their original position.

The attack eventually failed, and within a week Lee evacuated his positions around Petersburg. The Union lost 1,000 men killed, wounded, and captured, while the Lee lost probably three times that number, including 1,500 captured during the retreat. Already outnumbered, these loses were more than Lee’s army could bear. Lee wrote to Confederate President Jefferson Davis that it would be impossible to maintain the Petersburg line much longer.

On March 29, Grant began his offensive, and the Confederate Army feel at Five Forks on April 1, and Petersburg fell on April 2-3. Two weeks after the Battle of Fort Stedman, Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865.

IMAGE: O’Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882, photographer. Interior of the Union Fort Stedman, Petersburgh, [sic], Va., showing bombproofs. This is a stereograph image created ca.1864-ca.1865, Call Number PR-065-811-44 at the Library of Congress.

Almost half the collection is British based, dazzling dress uniforms of the British Dragoons, Hussars, and Lancers stand at attention next to bandsmen’s uniforms from each of the five regiments of foot guards of the Household Division, more commonly known as the Life Guards. You may recognize the “Beefeater” regalia on a 1936 Yeoman Warder’s uniform designed for the men who guard the Crown Jewels located in the Tower of London.

Visitors won’t be disappointed with the abundance of American military uniforms and paraphernalia gathered from all branches of the U.S. military. The museum carries a few Civil War items, including an original Union artilleryman’s jacket.

The collection was the lifelong work of one man – the late Ronald V. J. Mountain. Mr. Mountain died in 1996 at age 68, and his wife, Pat, continues to run the museum. She is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic steward for this collection, and she’s happy to answer your questions.

DIRECTIONS

Take exit #191, this will put you on I-64 for 1 mile. Take exit #55 off I-64. Follow Rt. 11 south. As you go over the Maury River Bridge Rt. 11 will split. Merge to the right (Rt. 11 Business). As you come into downtown Lexington Rt. 11 will turn into Jefferson Street. Follow Jefferson Street to the end where it meets White Street Turn left on White Street and then turn left on Main Street. The Military Memorabilia Museum is on the right.

From I-64, take exit #55. Follow Rt. 11 south. As you go over the Maury River Bridge, Rt. 11 will split. Merge to the right (Rt. 11 Business). As you come into downtown Lexington Rt. 11 will turn into Jefferson Street. Follow Jefferson Street to the end where it meets White Street. Turn left on White Street and then turn left on Main Street. The Military Memorabilia Museum is on the right.

The street address is 122 1/2 South Main Street, down the brick walkway next to the Lexington Presbyterian Church. Visit the Lexington Web page about this museum to learn more about hours and phone contact.

IMAGES

The image at top, from the London Daily Times, shows a line of Yeomen Warders in traditional uniform. The second smaller image, from the BBC News, shows a happy Queen Mother inspecting her Beefeaters. The Beefeaters date back to 1485 when King Henry VII formed a bodyguard. The news story for this link talked about the first female Yeoman Warder in history slated to join the troops. Read more about the 42-year-old Scottish woman who took her post in September 2007 as she wore the traditional dress of a scarlet and gold tunic, white ruff, red stockings and black patent leather shoes. The official title of a Yeoman Warder is, ‘Yeoman Warder of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign’s Body Guard and Yeoman Guard Extraordinary’. Phew!