Original Civil War “US” Cartridge Box Plate, dug at Culpepper VA Battlefield

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Civil War US Cartridge Box plate. As with most of these box plates, the small iron hooks on the back have rusted away. Right above the “S” is a crease and the front of the plate remains uncleaned, still covered with a layer of dirt. It was dug from the Culpepper Virginia Battlefield.

On September 12, 1863, the Army of the Potomac's 10,000-man Union cavalry corps, under General Alfred Pleasonton, left camp near Warrenton, Virginia and crossed the Rappahannock River, where various elements concentrated near the hamlet of Sulphur Springs. Their objective was to attack Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart's headquarters at Culpeper Court House, the seat of Culpeper County.

Advancing in three columns, the Union troopers drove off scattered Confederate pickets and skirmishers. Near the main Confederate defensive line at 1 p.m., 1st Division commander General Judson Kilpatrick ordered a mounted charge by the Michigan Brigade of General George Armstrong Custer, which carried the Confederate position centered at the railroad depot. Custer seized more than 100 prisoners, as well as three artillery pieces. The three columns converged at Culpeper and continued their advance, driving the Confederates towards the Rapidan River in heavy skirmishing.

This is a unique plate with the dirt still left on the front. If desired, it could be cleaned off, but that is up to the new owner. Overall, it is in solid condition. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.