Original Item: Only One Available. This is a Federal 1839 Pattern Brass Belt Plate Buckle, made from the standard lead-filled brass. It came to us out of an old collection, with a small label indicating it was dug up in the area of the Battle of Spanish Fort in Baldwin County, Alabama.

The Battle of Spanish Fort took place from March 27 to April 8, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the Western Theater of the American Civil War. After the Union victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Mobile nevertheless remained in Confederate hands. Spanish Fort was heavily fortified as an eastern defense to the city of Mobile. Fort Huger, Fort (Battery) Tracey, Fort (Battery) McDermott, Fort Alexis, Red Fort, and Old Spanish Fort were all part of the Mobile defenses at Spanish Fort.

Union forces embarked on a land campaign in early 1865 to take Mobile from the east. Maj. Gen. E.R.S. Canby's XIII and XVI corps crossed the Fish River at Marlow Ferry, and moved along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay forcing the Confederates back into their defenses. Union forces then concentrated on Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, five miles to the north. On March 27, 1865, Canby’s forces rendezvoused at Danley's Ferry and immediately undertook a siege of Spanish Fort. The Union had enveloped the fort by April 1, and on April 8 captured it. Most of the Confederate forces, under the command of Brig. Gen. Randall L. Gibson, escaped and fled to Mobile, but Spanish Fort was no longer a threat.

Fort Blakely continued to fight after Spanish Fort's fall on April 8. However, as early as April 1, when Spanish Fort's fall became inevitable, Union forces had begun moving north in order to concentrate on Fort Blakely, which eventually succumbed late on April 9 in the Battle of Fort Blakely.

The fall of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely permitted Union troops to subsequently enter Mobile unopposed after the Army of Mobile evacuated the City, occupying it on April 12, 1865.

The plate measures measures approximately 3 1/4” x 2 1/8”. The condition is very good, especially considering that it was dug up. This die-stuck specimen has the large raised letters "US" on the face and exhibits a wonderful patina overall. The backside of the plate, complete with its brass "arrow" hooks all intact, is lead filled and still in strong condition, with moderate oxidation to the lead. The face of the convex plate is edged with the correct double borders.

A very nice example from an important battle in the Mobile Campaign. Ready to display!