CONFEDERATE HEEL PLATE FROM NC CAMP ON HERR’S RIDGE, GETTYSBURG (SOLD)

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Civil War soldiers iron heel plate, which would be worn on his brogans or boots. It measures approximately 2 ¾” x 2 ½”. These plates were used to try and sustain the life of the soldier’s shoes, because once they were worn out, they didn’t know how long it would be before they could be replaced. These unique items were not a regulation issue but sold by the camp sutlers. This example was recovered in a Confederate camp at Herr’s Ridge, Gettysburg (see map).

The digger marked the plate with “NC Campsite / Herr Ridge / Gettysburg”. These North Carolina troops would be part of General Heth’s Division. The first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg is said to have been fired by a Union cavalry officer at 7:30 A.M. on July 1, 1863, along the Chambersburg Turnpike, three miles west of the town. The Southern column halted and deployed skirmishers. By 9 A.M. two brigades of General Henry Heth’s Division were in line of battle atop Herr’s Ridge west of Willougby’s Run. Up until that point in the battle, the Confederates had only encountered Union cavalry and were unaware of the approaching Northern infantry.

As General James Archer’s brigade moved across the open fields south of Chambersburg Pike, across Willoughby’s Run, and through the Herbst Woodlot they were met by only slight resistance. Suddenly a long line of Union Infantry appeared in their front, and quickly flanked Archer’s brigade on its right. The unexpected turn of events took Archer by surprise, and he started to retreat back through the woods and across Willoughby’s Run.

Owing to the dense nature of the underbrush near the stream and fact that the brigade had given way so quickly, Archer and about 300 of his men were surrounded and forced to surrender. According to the best sources available, Archer was captured in a clump of willows “about 30 paces [sic] west of Willoughby’s Run,” on what is now private property.

This heel plate has surface rust, but it is still in solid condition. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I show another heel plate that was also recovered at Gettysburg (see pictures). This is a unique piece and from a very important part of the Gettysburg Battlefield.