Stump the German

[RJNorton]

Was this something the Confederates used for scouting purposes?

[Rogerm]

Was it some kind of knife?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Excellent guesses, but I'm afraid none is correct.

Hint #1: It is a part of something one Confederate used for concealing purposes.

[RJNorton]

Does it have anything to do with Dr. Luke Blackburn?

[L Verge]

I doubt it still exists, but one of the cigars that had Gen. Lee's orders wrapped around it - found before some battle (Antietam??)

[Eva Elisabeth]

Great guesses!! Sorry Roger, it doesn't. I feel a bit guilty to say that this has to do with a very trivia (but for him quite close) incident that happened to a cavalry commander.
Hint #2: It's a part of a tall plant which I picked up on Sunday.

[RJNorton]

Does it have something to do with John S. Mosby?

[Gene C]

Hint #2: It's a part of a tall plant which I picked up on Sunday.

Can you give us a clue as to how large your item is?
Interesting clues. Could it be we barking up the wrong tree?
We may need to branch out in our thinking.

Fido

[Eva Elisabeth]

Excellent, Roger, it has to do with Mosby! And Fido has an excellent nose, too, it has to do with a tree!
Hint #3:
   

[Gene C]

Could this be from the Mosby Walnut Tree? - Fido

http://www.loudounhistory.org/history/mo...t-tree.htm

[Eva Elisabeth]

Sorry for delay - had no WiFi. Gene and Roger, you both win for guessing Mosby and the walnut tree. Actually it was Hathaway House, but this was probably the most trivia question ever. The story goes as follows:
Mosby and his rangers lived in "safe houses" throughout the region. Many had hiding places--trapdoors and secret wall panels that enabled them to go undetected when houses were searched by Union soldiers.
Hathaway House was one of these places.One night in 1863, the 1st New York Cavalry surrounded and searched the house to find him, but Mosby climbed from the bedroom window onto the walnut tree and hid there till the soldiers left.

[Eva Elisabeth]

What is this?
   

[RJNorton]

Does it have anything to do with Engesohde Cemetery?

[Eva Elisabeth]

No, it doesn't, but very smart - you are quite close, Roger!

[J. Beckert]

The former monastery in Hildesheim where Rathbone was held?