Civil War relics from White Oak Swamp Battlefield

Group of relics from White Oak Swamp Battlefield. Click detailed description.

This grouping consists of a brass valve from a musical instrument, a brass heel plate, a brass rivet with leather from a cartridge box, and a section of a brass Cavalry spur. They were dug on private property at the White Oak Swamp Battlefield. The Battle of White Oak Swamp took place on June 30, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia as part of the Seven Days Battles (Peninsula Campaign). As the Union Army of the Potomac retreated southeast toward the James River, its rearguard under Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin stopped Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's divisions at the White Oak Bridge crossing, resulting in an artillery duel, while the main Battle of Glendale raged two miles farther south around Frayser's Farm. White Oak Swamp is generally considered to be part of the larger Glendale engagement. Because of this resistance from Brig. Gen. William B. Franklin's VI Corps, Jackson was prevented from joining the consolidated assault on the Union Army that had been ordered by General Robert E. Lee, producing an inconclusive result at Glendale, but one in which the Union Army avoided destruction and was able to assume a strong defensive position at Malvern Hill. This is an opportunity to add a few original inexpensive items to your Civil War collection.