RARE - Civil War VMM (Volunteer Maine Militia) plate, dug at Cedar Mountain Battlefield

This is another great piece being offered, it is an excavated Civil War “VMM” Cartridge Box Plate, indicating Volunteer Maine Militia. It measures 56mm x 84mm and the reverse has a good section of the lead remaining, however the hooks are gone, which is typical with these plates. These larger sizes had the lead-filled back to keep the cartridge box leather flap down. It was recovered years ago at the Cedar Mountain, Virginia Battlefield.

These cartridge boxes were issued to Maine troops in a limited amount, and it probably came from a 10^th Maine Infantry soldier. The 10th Maine Volunteer Infantry had its bloody baptism of fire at the Battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862. Charging as a reserve force under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks, the regiment fought portions of seven Confederate brigades and helped prevent a complete Union rout, suffering 22 dead in the fierce, hand-to-hand combat.

As seen in the pictures, this plate was definitely a witness to the battle. It is a little wavey and some slight rim loss, but typical of the intensity of the fighting, however, it is still solid and comes in the glass top display case. VMM plates have always been rare and difficult to find.