Remains of a Civil War soldier’s fork, recovered at Culp’s Hill, Gettysburg in 1970

This is a nice personal item being offered, it is the remains of a soldier’s fork. It measures 5” x ¾” wide, and being in the ground for over a century, the wood handle is now gone. It was recovered on the east side of Culp’s Hill, Gettysburg in the summer of 1970.

The east side of Culp's Hill was a key battleground during the Battle of Gettysburg where Union forces defended against Confederate attacks, particularly on July 3, 1863. The Union held the hill after a prolonged and intense fight that began before sunrise. The Union's successful defense of this position was a crucial part of their victory at Gettysburg. 

The fighting on the east side of Culp's Hill was brutal, with Union and Confederate soldiers engaged in a massive battle with 22,000 soldiers involved. Confederate forces attacked three times on July 3, but the Union line held firm, and the Confederates were unable to take the hill after six hours of fighting.  The Union's successful defense of the east side of Culp's Hill helped secure their overall victory at Gettysburg, which halted the Confederate invasion of the North.

The fork is exactly as it came out of the ground…even some dirt left on it. I discuss Culp’s Hill in more detail in my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs” (see pictures).  It comes in the glass top display case pictured.