Cumberland & North Yarmouth

Luther, like other infantrymen, was issued a heavy harness leather belt from which hung several items he would carry into battle.

From his belt hung this leather cartridge box, at his hip and close at hand. Inside the box were two tin liners which held cartridges—paper tubes filled with “Minié balls (bullets) and black powder.

A collapsible metal cup which fit neatly into a container with lid was part of Luther's mess kit.

A small case contained the percussion caps Luther needed to fire his musket. The caps looked like tiny top hats and were filled with fulminate of mercury which, when struck by the hammer, would spark and set fire to the powder that had been packed into the musket barrel.

Luther would have carried a canteen like this one, which belonged to Simeon S. Farwell of Cumberland. Canteen were an essential item for a soldier in the heat and humidity of the South. Many Union soldiers were overwhelmed by the heat of the Southern battlefields.

Luther used this haversack to carry a small amount of food or other vitally important supplies. Stenciled faintly across the haversack are the letters “Capt L Lawrence.”

Here is Luther Lawrence in his dress uniform—clothing very different from what he would have worn into battle.

His single-breasted frock coat was standard issue for Union lieutenants and captains.

He holds a sword, one of several that we know he owned.