Union "US" Cartridge Box Plate

Union Cartridge Box Plate from Harrison's Landing, Virginia. Click picture for details.(SOLD)

Civil War Union Cartridge Box Plate. It measures approximately 3 1/2" x 2 1/4". The back still has the lead remaining, but as in most excavated examples, the two fragile attachment hooks are gone. These plates were worn on the outer flap of the leather cartridge box. There is some loss to the rim but the "US" is very clear and the brass has a beautifully aged greenish patina. This plate was recovered on private property at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia. During the Peninsular campaign in 1862, Union troops occupied Harrison’s Landing. President Abraham Lincoln twice visited there in the summer of 1862 to confer with Gen. George B. McClellan. This is also where General Daniel Butterfield was credited with the creation of “Taps”. He was not pleased with the call for “Extinguish Lights”, feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end, so with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton, wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp following the Seven Day's battle. The call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon spread to other units of the Union Army and was even used by the Confederates. Taps was made an official bugle call after the war. Take advantage to add a very nice piece to your Civil War collection that belonged to a soldier who no doubt was one of the first to hear "Taps" played. I will also include the glass top display case pictured. A great inexspensive relic with a lot of history. (SOLD)