Civil War Shoulder Belt Plate recovered in 1988 at Annandale, VA

This is a rare cross-belt plate being offered. It is made of heavy brass and measures 3” x 3 ½”. This plate has a lead filled back and has remnants of the original iron hooks. During the early days of the Civil War, they were worn by both Union and Confederate soldiers. This one was recovered by Terry Heilman at Annandale, Virginia on June 17, 1988 (see his original tag).

Annandale served as an active borderland and defense zone near Washington, D.C., marked by the Action at Annandale skirmish, the destruction of local churches, and the construction of Union fortifications. The battle took place between Union and Confederate forces along Little River Turnpike.

The conflict occurred on the afternoon of Dec. 2, 1861, when troops from South Carolina approached and fired upon detachments from two New York regiments who were on picket duty at an unfinished section of the Manassas Gap railroad.

A historic marker commemorating the “Action at Annandale” was installed in front of George Mason Regional Library in spring 2010, and a dedication ceremony in October 2010. This is a rare early plate and remains in very solid condition with a fantastic patina. It comes in the glass top display case pictured. A great piece of early Civil War history.