Click HERE to see some of the Cleburne items in the collection
General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was born in County Cork, Ireland, on March 17, 1828. He grew up in Ireland where his father was a well-known physician in Cork. He immigrated to the United States in 1849. After settling briefly in Cincinnati, he moved to Helena, Arkansas, where he became a partner in an apothecary shop of his friend, Dr. Nash. In the 1850's he studied law, and passed the bar examination. At the opening of the Civil War, he joined his friends in the Confederacy. He enlisted as a private in a company being raised for the 15th Arkansas Infantry. His old friends elected him captain, which marked the beginning of a meteoric military career that won him praise as one of the South's best military commanders. Cleburne soon became colonel of the regiment. His British military training, discipline and charm earned him the loyalty of his men. He became a brigadier general in March of 1862. He fought with honor leading his men in many battles. At Franklin Tennessee on November 30 1864 Cleburne's Division headed the charge on the Federal entrenchment. His horse was shot from under him, he mounted another and it too was killed. On his final charge he raised his kepi on his sword and led his men forward on foot until he fell 50 yards from the Federal lines. The charge at Franklin was larger than Pickett's famous charge at Gettysburg.
They were sent to his fiancée, Sue Tarlton in Mobile, Alabama. Historian Stanley Horn, who has authored many books obtained the mess gear many years ago.
If you have any questions feel free to E-Mail Tom Sweeny
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