Original Items: Only One Available. This is a pair of brass Federal Pattern 1839 oval US cartridge box plate and Pattern 1826 Eagle Breast Plate were dug just south of the Chickamauga Battlefield at Crawfish Springs in Northern Georgia.

The Battle of Chickamauga, fought on September 18 – 20, 1863, between U.S. and Confederate forces in the American Civil War, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia — the Chickamauga Campaign. It was the first major battle of the war fought in Georgia, the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater, and involved the second-highest number of casualties after the Battle of Gettysburg.

The Battle of Chickamauga, fought on September 18 – 20, 1863, between U.S. and Confederate forces in the American Civil War, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia — the Chickamauga Campaign. It was the first major battle of the war fought in Georgia, the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater, and involved the second-highest number of casualties after the Battle of Gettysburg.

This excavated Pattern 1839 oval US cartridge box plate has a smooth brown patina with area of green oxidation. The brass face has crisp central “US”. The plate’s reverse retains 100% of the lead fill. One of the two iron loops or shanks remain. The lead fill is engraved with a scratched initials MD on the reverse. A very nice original “struck” Civil War enlistedman’s cartridge box plate. This relic was recovered just south of the Chickamauga Battlefield at Crawfish Springs in Northern Georgia.

This excavated Pattern 1826 Eagle Breast Plate is in nice condition. Brass face has smooth brown patina. Reverse has 90% lead fill. The wire loops are missing. This plate is for use on the shoulder sling of the regulation infantry cartridge box. This relic was recovered just south of the Chickamauga Battlefield at Crawfish Springs in Northern Georgia.

Also included is a water damaged hand written document on J.Reb's Chickamauga Battlefield Civil War Gallery letter head. The document reads:

I certify that this cartridge box plate and eagle breast plate was dug, at the Chickamauga GA. area along with the tin back I button. The box plate has the initials M.D. on the reverse.
Warren Demarset
J. Reb's
(Date obscured, but we believe it is from the 1970s or 1980s)

The document and envelope (both heavily water damaged but legible) are included with this set.

Civil War Infantry Cartridge box plates are a favorite of Civil War collectors!

Civil War history at Crawfish Springs
In 1836, James Gordon and his brothers moved to Crawfish Springs from Gwinnett County, Ga. Between 1840 and 1847, slave laborers built Gordon’s brick mansion-known today as the Gordon-Lee Mansion-at the site of the Cherokee courthouse overlooking Crawfish Springs, which served as the main water supply for the town.

During the American Civil War, Union Gen. William Rosecrans and surgeon Glover Perin, the U.S. medical director for the Army of The Cumberland, decided to locate a federal hospital complex at Crawfish Springs.

“That summer was extremely dry, and the most reliable source of water in the area was from Crawfish Springs,” Ufford said.

Wounded and injured soldiers were cared for at the Gordon-Lee Mansion and its adjacent buildings during the bloody Battle of Chickamauga, which took place Sept. 19-20, 1863. Soldiers from both sides used Crawfish Springs as a primary water supply.

George H. Putney of the 37th Indiana Infantry Regiment was at Crawfish Springs on Sept. 19, 1863, and wrote this of the experience:

“After going some distance, we came to Crawfish Springs. There we were permitted to fill our canteens, which we gladly did, as we knew the importance of water in a bottle. What a beautiful spring of water that was and is! Think of going from that pure life-giving fountain of clear, cold water, springing up in great abundance, to a great and dreadful battle where smoke and dust and toil and wounds and death hold high carnival. That is war!”