This relic pewter matchbox was excavated from the area of Loudon Heights in Virginia by well-known relic hunter Bill Gavin. Once part of his collection, this small, ribbed, cylindrical relic box measures 2¼” long and features hand-carved letters that read “RALPH M CUL / VER BOX” on its face.

Ralph M. Culver was a 21-year-old native of Marlborough, Connecticut when he enlisted in Company C, 20^th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry regiment on August 13, 1862. Private Culver served with the unit until discharged at the McClellan Hospital in Philadelphia on April 25, 1863 for disability to both ears. He returned home, applied for pension which he received in 1907. Culver died in New Haven on Jan 22, 1908. The box cap or lid is missing. Private Culver’s relic match box suffers from a compression at the upper portion along with two very small cracks in the metal edge. Still has some surface dirt on the box along the ribbed area. No maker markings. A personal relic match box identified to Private Ralph Culver of the 20^th Connecticut Volunteers. Relic item comes in a small riker box together with Culver’s military and pension records.

This item is from the collection of, and was dug by, the late William G. "Bill" Gavin (1924 - 2010), who was one of the nation's most prominent and esteemed Civil War relic collectors. Following graduation from West Point [Class of 1946], Gavin became a pioneer in applying WWII mine-detector technology to relic hunting. Along the way, he became an avid historian whose collection, with its origins dating back to the 1930's, was enhanced by his acute knowledge of battlefield troop movements. His service to his country included six years in the U.S. Army, followed by a seven year period in which he was a member of the U.S. Army (Ready) Reserve. Mr. Gavin shared his Civil War knowledge via the publication of four books and several magazine articles. In 1963 he authored one of the earliest books on relic buckles (Accoutrement Plates North and South, 1861-65), and in the 1970s established the Rectory Museum in Harper's Ferry, while becoming owner of The Cliffside Inn. He was also the owner of Happy Retreat, the 18th century home of Charles Washington, youngest brother of George Washington, located in Charles Town, WV. The Horse Soldier joins the national Civil War community in mourning Bill Gavin's passing, and is proud to be able to offer items from his exceptional collection.

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