An original piece of Civil War hardtack sent home by John Irvin, Co. E 64^th Regt. OVI.  Inscribed on the 4 ½ inch by 3 ½ inch portion in original brown ink of the period: “Camp Bardstown, KY. To home to Wm. Irvin, sen(t) January 1862, USA Cracker.”  The hardtack is preserved in a cigar box that has been decorated with Civil War pictures and was framed up no doubt as a display in some sort of museum.  The hardtack is sealed under glass and the entire display has apparently not been touched for over 100 years.  Included are two letters on patriotic stationary and one patriotic cover from Camp Buckingham in Mansfield, Ohio.  Along with the framed hardtack is a magnificent quarter plate tin type of John Irvin with one of his camp buddies.  There is also a smaller ninth plate tintype of Irvin wearing what looks to be GAR ribbon and showing his crutch taken much later in life.  A truly amazing set!

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