Civil War items on temp. exhibit at Manassas Battlefield museum

Four temporary displays were unveiled at the Manassas National Battlefield Park today in the museum gallery of the visitor’s center today. One case houses the four exhibits, which feature the First Battle of Manassas, fought on July 21, 1861.
A noteworthy object in the exhibits, which are on loan to the park for the 150th commemoration of the First Battle of Manassas (the commemoration runs July 21-24), include a Mexican Army officer’s sword belt plate that was Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s; he is said to have worn that buckle during this first Civil War battle. In addition, a double-barrel percussion shotgun initially carried by John Singleton Mosby in 1861 is part of the exhibit. Both items were loaned to the park by Patti and Greg Paxton of Winchester.
Other items on loan include a painting by noted landscape artist James Hope and a silk flag of a Virginia infantry company.
Jim Burgess, museum specialist, said all four exhibits will be local through October; the remaining three will stay at the museum through the end of 2011.