Original Items: Only One Lot Available. This is a wonderful grouping of items, most likely from dug from the same site of the Battle of Bull Run, also known as Manassas. The items are officer related items, though the company designation badges were utilized by all. The First Battle of Bull Run, called the Battle of First Manassas by Confederate forces, was the first major battle of the American Civil War. The battle was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, just north of the city of Manassas and about thirty miles west-southwest of Washington, D.C. The Union Army was slow in positioning themselves, allowing Confederate reinforcements time to arrive by rail. Each side had about 18,000 poorly trained and poorly led troops. The battle was a Confederate victory and was followed by a disorganized post-battle retreat of the Union forces.

The Items In This Lot:

- M1851 Belt Buckle: The regulation 1851 pattern, brass, eagle waist belt plate is the rectangular, concave, detailed plate that measures approximately 83 mm long x 53 mm high, the cast brass plate has an integral tongue on the reverse and the one-piece, nickel-silver wreath terminating beneath the eagle’s wings is unfortunately missing all of the original finish. The plate face has an even patina and exhibits well-defined edges. All the brass hardware retains a nice, aged patina. Surprisingly enough the buckle still retains part of the original leather belt.

- Pattern 1861 Cartridge Box Plate: This is a genuine Pattern 1861 pattern Federal issue leather cartridge box front plate. The front plate is the standard brass with tin plating on the back, missing the two loops on the end for attachment. Normally it would be held onto the front of a cartridge box with a small leather strap. It has some slight denting on one side, a possible ricochet mark and finish loss, but overall looks incredible for the age and having been ground dug. The reverse side of the plate has a small Manassas label tag.

- Pattern 1851 Hardee Hat “Pompon” Eagle: Worn attached to the base of the pompon by all enlisted personnel, this brass eagle, similar in general design to that worn on the shako in the 1830's, stands with wings upraised, olive branch in right talon, three arrows in left talon, and a scroll, with national motto, in beak. Above are stars, clouds, and bursts of sun rays. Officers wore an eagle of similar design of gold embroidery on cloth. The condition is good but there are holes present caused by oxidation.

- Infantry Officer’s Bugle Cap Insignia: Wonderful condition badge with much of the original brass colored finish.

- x2 Company Letter Badges (K & A): Both are in good condition with nearly all of the finish missing and are presented without any extensive damage.

A wonderful early Civil War insignia lot that comes more than ready for further research and display.

Just months after the start of the war at Fort Sumter, the northern public clamored for a march against the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, which was expected to bring an early end to the Confederacy. Yielding to political pressure, Brigadier General Irvin McDowell led his unseasoned Union Army across Bull Run against the equally inexperienced Confederate Army of Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard, whose forces were camped near Manassas Junction. McDowell's ambitious plan for a surprise flank attack on the Confederate left was poorly executed; nevertheless, the Confederates, who had been planning to attack the Union left flank, found themselves at an initial disadvantage.

Confederate reinforcements under Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston arrived from the Shenandoah Valley by railroad, and the course of the battle quickly changed. A brigade of Virginians under a relatively unknown brigadier general from the Virginia Military Institute, Thomas J. Jackson, stood its ground, which resulted in Jackson receiving his famous nickname, "Stonewall". The Confederates launched a strong counterattack, and as the Union troops began withdrawing under fire, many panicked and the retreat turned into a rout. McDowell's men frantically ran without order in the direction of Washington, D.C.

Both armies were sobered by the fierce fighting and the many casualties and realized that the war was going to be much longer and bloodier than either had anticipated. The First Battle of Bull Run highlighted many of the problems and deficiencies that were typical of the first year of the war. Units were committed piecemeal, attacks were frontal, infantry failed to protect exposed artillery, tactical intelligence was minimal, and neither commander was able to employ his whole force effectively. McDowell, with 35,000 men, could commit only about 18,000, and the combined Confederate forces, with about 32,000 men, also committed 18,000.