Antique Civil War Binoculars, Used by Col. Francis L. Lee

Presented is an original pair of Civil War-used binoculars, with their original leather carrying case. The binoculars were used by Colonel Francis L. Lee of Massachusetts during the War. The binoculars are an intricate example of brass and glass technology, most likely made in the early 1860s.  Binoculars were first invented in France in the 1840s. They started small, primarily as opera glasses, but by the Civil War, they were being used in battle. Larger versions became known as field glasses. Unlike Civil War uniforms or canteens, most binoculars and field glasses were purchased privately by officers on both sides. Very few were issued by the Government and those carried either "U.S." or "C.S.A." imprints.  On May 26, 1862, Francis L. Lee, of Brookline Massachusetts, became major of the 4th Battalion of Infantry in the First Brigade and First Division of the Militia of the Commonwealth. That same year, in August, Lee was commissioned as the colonel of the 44th Regiment of the Massach