Albert Woolson - The Undisputed Last Surviving Civil War Veteran

In previous posts, I mentioned 2011 will be the 150th Anniversary of the America's War Between The States. I am planning on posting many entries and videos pertaining to the Sesquicentennial and I decided to start with the last ... I am beginning my Civil War Sesquicentennial series with the last survivor of the Civil War, Albert Woolson. Woolson was born on this day, February 11, in the year 1850 (he lied about his age to get into the service which is why he is commonly listed as being born in 1847 or 1848) and lived to the year 1956. The vast majority of the items exhibited in this blog entry are from the 1950s period.

I will begin with three press photos. These were once part of the archives of an old newspaper publishing company ...

This picture was taken at the unveiling of a bust dedicated to Woolson:


Here is Albert Woolson reading one of the many cards he received during his lifetime:


He is with a sculptor in this one:


The next group of photographs features items signed by Woolson ...

You will note the very interesting and historic reference to James Hard (the last Combat Veteran of the War - he fought in the Battle Of Bull Run among other skirmishes) in the post script. Woolson acknowledges Hard's recent amputation (Hard passed away eight days later):
















A previous owner lists Albert's age as 109. A review of census records revealled he was three years younger than he claimed.


Here are some First Day Covers (FDC's) - these are specifically known as Add-On Cachets because they start out as original genuine FDC's, and then have had items added to them years later. Only the covers themselves, the stamps and the postmarks are original ... all Woolson and Grand Army Of The Republic (G.A.R.) decorations have been added recently.






Here is a 1960s-era postcard featuring the Woolson Memorial that stands in Gettysburg, PA:


Here is a guide to the city of Duluth from 1955 (the inside page briefly discusses Woolson):




An article from Life Magazine dated June 1, 1953:


An article from Life Magazine dated August 13, 1956:


Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dated March 14, 1953 and the inside page article pertaining to Woolson:






Duluth Herald (from August 2, 1956) announcing his passing with the bold headline "Albert Woolson Dies":


An excerpt from Life Magazine dated August 20, 1956:


Despite the two photographs discussing his death immediately above, this is a day to celebrate the life of Albert Woolson, the last of the Boys In Blue! I am going to go into greater depth with some of these items in future posts (including a Signature Study for Albert Woolson).

By the way, I am ALWAYS buying Albert Woolson artifacts and memorabilia (especially signed items!!)!! Here is my "Card":


A video showing the items posted above (with my verbal introduction):

The url in case the video does not embed properly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evXZm0e1yXc