Among the personal items presented in this identified grouping of original Civil War artifacts from Private Joseph P. Bearse are his G.A.R. membership medal, a copy of the "Soldier's Textbook", a single brass uniform button, and a 3" stub of old lead pencil. In addition, two, hand written notes from direct family members round out the collection.

Private Joseph P. Bearse was thirty-seven years old when he enlisted in Company D, 45th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at Barnstable, Mass on September 12, 1862. He was mustered into army service at Camp Meigs in Readville two weeks later. The 45th was a nine-month unit and performed its entire service obligation as part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Department of North Carolina with duty at New Bern. Bearse was present for duty on every company muster roll until he was discharged at Boston on July 7, 1863 with his term expired.

Among his artifacts is a rollup "Hathaway's Patent" writing kit in very good condition. When unrolled, the inside of the tube-like kit features the soldier's identity hand-written in ink which states, "Joseph P Bearse / Hyannis / Mass." The compact writing kit measures 9" long by 2¼" in diameter. Kit is composed of a small, metal cylindrical tube case used to hold pencils, ink pens, an inkbottle, paper and envelopes. Attached to the tube is a rubberized cloth blotter in fine condition. Glued to the cloth are twelve, narrow, walnut slats that present a smooth surface for writing when cloth blotter is laid flat. Stabilizing the writing surface are two wood slats on the reverse side that swing and lock into place. One locking slat is marked "PAT'D DEC 24, 1861" and features a hand carved numeral "XX" on it. Second locking slat is missing. The japanned tin tube has scattered areas of light chipping at the ends and the blotter underside exhibits some soiling and dark spots of staining. All of the writing implements are missing but this artifact remains a wonderful and desirable specimen of the soldier's personal effects.

Also included in this grouping is a brass, coat size, 'Eagle-shield' uniform with most gold gilt remaining; a short, 3" long stub of lead pencil; one G.A.R. membership badge or medal; a small pocket booklet titled "Soldier's Text Book". In addition, a 5" x 7" affidavit, hand written in ink by Bearse's daughter, dated October 20, 1939, which states in part, "I herewith acknowledge this little Army Kit to be the property of my Father Joseph P. Bearse used by him during the Civil War of 1862 - 1863" and signed "Nellie Curtis Braum, nee Bearse". A side note reads, "This is also the pencil Grandpa Bearse carried in this kit thru the War. Grandpa came home sick from War and was sick from it until death."

If one is searching for unique collection of identified, personal soldier artifacts from the American Civil War, search no longer. This grouping would make an excellent mini-collection in its own right or it would enhance any display of a Civil War soldier's personal effects.