Nose section of a Confederate Artillery Shell (SOLD)

This is a very rare Civil War artillery piece being offered, it is the nose section of a Confederate Broun shell. This nose has a smooth fuse hole and was meant to take a wooden time fuse adaptor. Broun projectiles are named after their inventor, Lieutenant Colonel William Leroy Broun (commander of the Richmond Arsenal beginning in June 1863), who modified the then-popular Read projectiles. This style of shell is a late war pattern and is often found in late war engagements such as Petersburg, where this one was recovered (see photograph of a complete Broun shell).

Marching from Cold Harbor, Meade's Army of the Potomac crossed the James River on transports and a 2,200-foot long pontoon bridge at Windmill Point. General Butler with the XVIII Corps crossed the Appomattox River and attacked the Petersburg defenses on June 15, 1864. The 5,400 defenders of Petersburg under command of General P.G.T. Beauregard were driven from their first line of entrenchments back to Harrison Creek.

On June 16, the II Corps captured another section of the Confederate line and gained more ground. Beauregard brought in troops from Bermuda Hundred to defend the city and Lee rushed reinforcements to Petersburg from the Army of Northern Virginia. Three Union Corps attacked on June 18 but were repulsed with heavy casualties. By now the Confederate works were heavily manned and the greatest opportunity to capture Petersburg without a siege was lost. The long siege of Petersburg began.

This particular piece is in very nice condition, with no chipping or flaking. It has a light coat of varnish added for its preservation. I acquired this piece directly from the digger. If interested in Civil War artillery, please refer to my book “Civil War Artillery – A Pictorial Introduction”. (SOLD)