Tongue from 2-piece Militia Officer’s buckle, dug in a CS camp, ex-Texas Museum

Being offered is the tongue section from a Model 1840 Militia officer’s buckle. It has the spread-eagle surrounded by stars and measures 53mm x 51mm. It was recovered many years ago at Confederate Camp Dix in San Antonio before going to the Texas Civil War Museum in Fort Worth.

Camp Dix was a Confederate outpost established by James M. Norris on April 4, 1862. It was at the crossing of the San Antonio-Eagle Pass road and the Frio River, a spot on the river known as Black Waterhole, seven miles east of Uvalde.

The camp was a Frontier Regiment post under the command of Capt. John J. Dix, Jr. The road had become a vital commercial route to Mexico for the Confederate cause when the Union forces gained control of the entry points to Mexico along the lower Rio Grande.

Camp Dix was one of several encampments established to protect Confederate export wagon trains on their way to Mexico. It was abandoned after the consolidation of the Frontier Regiment in March 1864.

The tongue has an even, untouched deep brown patina and is in very solid condition. It was deacessed along with other pieces from the impressive Texas museum. These early 2-piece buckles were popular among Confederate officers.  There has always been a great demand for Texas artifacts, very few make it to the open market. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.