After the Civil War Clara Barton went to Andersonville Prison with former inmate Private Dorance Atwater of the 1^st Connecticut Cavalry Battalion and 2^nd New York Cavalry Regiment. Barton and Atwater had a list of names and grave numbers that Atwater had kept in secret during his stay at Andersonville. They then did their best to match the names and numbers on Atwater’s list with the numbered graves in the prison cemetery.

While at Andersonville Clara Barton accumulated relics which were later put on display in a National Fair in Washington, D.C. A photograph taken at the time shows some of the relics displayed and all have a label similar to the one found on this cribbage board offered here. The item also has a second old handwritten tag giving some of its history.

The board itself meas. approx. 19.25 inches long x 2.50 inches wide x 0.50 an inch thick. Running along the board are four parallel rows of crudely made peg holes. Looking closely at the holes it is easy to see that some are a bit out of alignment with their mates showing it was hand made. The wood edges are worn smooth from handling. Holes show wear from use. Wood has no cracks.

One side of the board bears an old paper label that meas. approx. 2.75 x 1.50 inches. Stenciled on the label is “CRIBAGE BOARD” with the same lettering as the other Andersonville relics seen in the period photograph.

The opposite side has an old handwritten tag in pencil. Tag meas. approx. 2.50 x 1.75 inches. It is scuffed and worn but the writing is legible. Attached above it is a modern tag with an easier to read translation of what is on the old tag. It reads:

“THIS LITTLE CRIBBAGE BOARD WAS PURCHASED BY YOUR GRANDMOTHER MYERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. IN 1866 AT A FAIR HELD BY CLARA BARTON. IT WAS ACQUIRED AT ANDERSONVILLE.”

This is a nice little relic from relating to the infamous Southern prison.  [ad]

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