For military history and war monument enthusiasts, the Spotsylvania stump has always been a name of fascination! So, if you ask, “What Is the Spotsylvania tree stump,” I’d say it is a monument that carries the evidence and history of the Spotsylvania civil war.
The stump was not originally a monument. But due to its disappearance, it got its place in a museum. Let’s break down those courses of events in today’s write-up!
What Is the Spotsylvania Tree Stump?
The Spotsylvania tree stump is a memorial of the Civil War that took place near Spotsylvania in Virginia. To date, the stump carries wounds and deeply embedded bullets in its wood. But where is its tree you might wonder. For the answer, let me break down the history.
In 1864, the Confederate forces engaged in a war with the Union Army in a meadow near Spotsylvania. And in the meadow, an oak tree used to stand still. The war lasted for about two weeks.
During the last week on May 12, several bullets pierced through the tree. As a result, the trunk broke and the torn stump remained on the ground. To know more about the war, here is a video to watch:
The stump is now in the Smithsonian Institution Museum in the USA. Formerly, the stump memorial was in the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum. It serves as a symbol of the brutality and heroism of the Battle of Courthouse.
The journey of the stump from the ground to the museum has an interesting story unveiled in the next section.
How Did the Spotsylvania Stump End Up in the Museum?
The bullet-embedded oak tree remained fallen on the ground for about a year after the battle of Spotsylvania. But after a year, the tree and its stump disappeared. The souvenir hunters have taken away the trunk and stump.
When the Union Division did not find the tree in its place, major general Nelson A. Miles carried out an inspection to locate the stump. Fortunately, he found it in a smokehouse. Then, he presented the stump to the U.S. Secretary.
Later on, the U.S. Secretary of War preserved the stump in the U.S. Army museum. To make the public aware of Spotsylvania war history, they have transferred the stump monument to the Smithsonian.
Conclusion
The detailed answer to what is the Spotsylvania tree stump keeps updated upon the research and review by the museum authority and archaeologists. And for a better understanding of the monument, I’d highly recommend a visit to the Smithsonian. You will come across more data right there.
You can visit the official website of the museum and download their map. It will help to find out the Spotsylvania stump.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q’s):
1. Where is the tree of the Spotsylvania stump?
Due to numerous hits from the bullets, the tree trunk fell down. And its trunk broke. There was nothing remaining of the tree to store in the museum.
2. What is the significance of the Spotsylvania stump?
The stump reminds people that war does not only take away lives. It also is horrific to the environment. Additionally, it depicts the heroism of the war troops.
3. Is the Spotsylvania tree stump open to the public?
Yes, the stump is open to the public at the Smithsonian Institution. It is open every day all around the year. But during Christmas, the museum remains closed.