The non-profi t Vermont Civil War Hemlocks, founded in 1963, is partnering with the Danville Historical Society to purchase and display Lt. Col. Addison Preston’s dress uniform, sword, boots, and leathers. This collection is for sale in Gettysburg, PA at The Horse Soldier, a store of fine military Americana. Addison Preston, born in 1830, lived in Danville and served as Lt. Colonel in the First Vermont Cavalry during the Civil War. He was about to be promoted to full colonel when he was killed at Hawe’s Station on June 3, 1864 in part o f the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia at age 33. He is buried in Danville Green Cemetery. The Danville Historical Society has a few items of Preston from his daughter, and this collection for sale in Gettysburg would be a great addition to the permanent collection. The Vermont Civil War Hemlocks have raised money for many battle field preservation eff orts as well as funds to purchase the William Chapin Civil War artifacts, now on permanent display at the Vermont Militia Museum. Please consider helping with a donation to this worthy cause to bring Col. Preston’s artifacts home to Danville.
Donate via GoFundMe HERE
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Click to view the WCAX Video About Returning Addison Preston’s Uniform to Danville
Lt. Col. Addison Preston Collection for sale at The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg, PA
Click here to see more images, and read about the items in the collection
About Addison Preston
George Benedict in his book “VERMONT IN THE CIVIL WAR 1861–1865” gives a succinct account of Colonel Preston’s life and character.
“Addison Webster Preston was born in Burke, Vermont, but removed in early childhood with his parents to Danville, which was thenceforth his home. He fitted for college, entered Brown University at the age of 21, and took high rank as a scholar; but after a year and a half he was obliged to leave college by the condition of his health. His physician advised a sea voyage so he sailed to Australia where after a stay full of adventure he sailed for California.
Preston had returned to Danville and was engaged in business when the war broke out. He enlisted in September of 1861 in the First Vermont Cavalry, was chosen Captain of Company D which he had been active in recruiting and from that day gave all his energy of mind and body to the duties of a soldier.
He commanded the regiment for much of the time during the twenty months preceding his death. Preston was a good disciplinarian who took good care of his men and was popular with them. As a man he was frank, hearty, genial, and quick of thought and action. As a fighter he was brave to a fault, impetuous, eager to strike, ready to go himself, where ever he sent his men, and unwilling to leave any place of danger as long as there was anything to be done.
He was twice wounded, at Hagerstown in the Gettysburg Campaign and at Culpepper Court House two months later. His commission as Colonel was delayed in transit by the exigencies of the campaign and reached the headquarters of the regiment after his death.
On the day of his death at Hawes’ Shop, Virginia, General Custer voiced the opinion of many when he turned away from his corpse and said, ‘There lies the best fighting Colonel in the Cavalry Corps.’ Colonel Preston’s remains were taken to White House and thence to Vermont, where his funeral took place at Danville. The proceedings were accompanied by extraordinary demonstrations of honor and respect on the part of his townsmen and of the citizens of the surrounding towns and of a large portion of Caledonia County. He left a widow, an estimable lady, whose maiden name was Juliette Hall, of Lowell, Massachusetts, and two children.”
