This is a nice example of a CS 12-pound spherical case shot that utilized a Borman fuse and was recovered at Gettysburg. We recently acquired a wonderful collection assembled by Civil War veteran George W. Mowers of nearby Fayetteville. Mowers (1844-1895) spent pretty much his entire adult life near Gettysburg, working in his father’s wagon-making shop along the Chambersburg Pike and later taking it over himself.

Fayetteville is just east of Chambersburg and the area was the point of concentration for Lee’s army just before Gettysburg. No fewer than seven of Lee’s nine divisions camped in or marched through the area before the battle, the Pike ws Lee’s main avenue of approach to Gettysburg on July 1, and Lee’s hospital wagon train, escorted by cavalry and artillery, turned south a short distance east of Mowers’ property during the retreat of July 4.

Mowers thus had plenty of opportunity to pick up souvenirs from the battle and he lived in the area until his death in 1895. He was a member of the Fayetteville G.A.R. post and attended regimental reunions in Gettysburg. He brought back a few mementos of his own two short tours of service, but also amassed a large group of Gettysburg material, all of which we purchased directly from the family and are proud to offer.

This is a Confederate spherical case-shot, measuring 4.52 inches intended for use with the “light twelve pounder” Napoleon field piece. Case-shot was inteneded for use against enemy infantry who were beyond the range of canister. Like a CS 12-pound solid shot we also acquired from the Mowers collection, the condition of the metal indicates it did not lie outdoors very long and was likely an early acquisition by Mowers, who spent only two short tours of duty away in the army and was well positioned to collect things soon after the battle. It is possible that he acquired it along the retreat route near his house, where Confederate artillerymen may have lightened their load while escorting Lee’s hospital wagons on the muddy and rainy retreat of July 4, but Mowers was near the first day’s field and had ready access to the rest of the battlefield for years. (We even have a photo of him at the dedication of the 21^st PA cavalry monument along the Baltimore Pike here in 1894.) In any case, it is certainly from the battle and campaign.

Mowers’ family preserved the material intact for 124 years after his death. Groupings like this do not come out much anymore. The provenance is great and we were happy to get the collection. This would be a strong addition to any Gettysburg, Confederate, or CS Artillery collection.  [sr]

Military & pension records included with purchase.

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