For immediate release Issued: May 11, 2004
Contact: Rose Bell 
Telephone: 717-260-1861, Ext. 1123
Website: www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Rare Uniform to be Donated

Harrisburg, Pa. -- James and Barbara Weaver of Flourtown, Pa., will donate a very rare uniform to The National Civil War Museum in a press conference/ceremony at 1:00PM on Tuesday, May 11, 2004.

The uniform was worn by James Weaver’s great-grandfather, Robert Ford, a member of Company A of the 76th Pennsylvania Volunteers, better known as “The Keystone Zouaves.” During the Civil War, several units adopted the colorful French North African zouave uniform. Each unit’s uniform was different. For the 76th Pennsylvania it consisted of a short dark blue jacket with red trim, light blue baggy pantaloons, dark blue sash, white gaiters around the ankles, and was topped-off by a blue fez style hat with a tassel.

Robert Ford was mustered into the 76th Pennsylvania on October 1,1861, and trained in Harrisburg. The unit was sent to South Carolina and participated in battles around Charleston, including an attack on Fort Wagner, when Ford was wounded. Included in the artifacts donated to the Museum is the bullet removed from Ford’s shoulder. The 76th Pennsylvania was later transferred to Virginia and fought in the Siege of Petersburg. Ford mustered-out with the regiment on November 28, 1864, and returned home. He died at age 74 in 1915 and was buried in Woodland Cemetery in Pine Township, Mercer County, Pa.

As a young boy, Weaver took his great-grandfather’s uniform to school for show and tell but his teacher told him that it was not a Civil War uniform. To the contrary, it is not only a Civil War uniform but one of the rarest and most complete of the era. Also included in the artifact collection are a small Psalm book, eyeglasses in their original case, and photographs.

George Hicks, Chief Executive Officer of The National Civil War Museum, said, “We are very pleased that the Weaver family selected our Museum to safeguard this important collection. It is especially fitting since we have a reproduction of a 76th Pennsylvania uniform in our Camp Curtin diorama. Now we will have an original to place on display.”

The National Civil War Museum is located in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, Pa. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10am until 5pm, and Sunday, 12noon until 5pm. Admission to the Museum is $7.00 for adults, with reduced rates for children, seniors and families. For more information, telephone 717-260-1861 or visit www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
 

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