Lead soldier-carving dug at Fredericksburg in 1960s

This is another unique piece from the collection I am currently working on, it is a 3” x 2 ¼” piece of lead weighing over ten ounces. It is made from melted lead bullets and have carvings on one side. I have no idea what the soldier was trying to carve, but obviously had something in mind. I have seen similar items where soldiers would try and make heel plates for their brogans. Perhaps this was his idea, but it became too heavy. This is a part of a collection which was dug in Fredericksburg during the 1960s – 1970s.

On November 14, 1862, Union General Ambrose Burnside sent a corps to occupy the vicinity of Falmouth near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Lee reacted by entrenching his army on the heights behind the town. On December 13, after pontoon bridges were laid, Union forces crossed the Rappahannock River under fire.

Burnside mounted a series of futile frontal assaults on Prospect Hill and Marye's Heights that resulted in staggering casualties. On December 15, Burnside called off the offensive and recrossed the river, ending the failed campaign.

Carving was a very popular pastime during the Civil War. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I go into more detail on the subject of soldier carvings (see pictures). It comes in the glass top display case pictured. It would make a nice addition to any Civil War collection.