This group of four items belonged to Private Noah Bellew of Company E, 148^th Ohio. The group consists of his waist belt, cartridge box, cap box and smoothside canteen. All leather is in uniform condition showing consistent age and use throughout

The first item in the group is the only piece that bears the soldier’s name. It is a Pattern 1861 cartridge box. The exterior flap is in good condition with light surface crazing that gets a little heavier toward the top. Leather is mostly clean and pliable. Attached to the center of the flap is a Pattern 1839 oval “US” cartridge box plate that has been cleaned but does show some minor wear from use. Plate is attached by two leather thongs n the underside of the flap. Also attached to the underside of the flap is a worn but complete latch tab. This tab is attached to the flap by a single line of stitching only. Lifting the flap and looking just below the box plate loops the name “NOAH BELLEW” lightly carved into the leather. The inner flap has both ears and a predominately smooth surface with light crazing around the edges. Both original tins are present. The implement pocket is complete and in nice shape as is the interior section of the box. The bottom of the box has both roller buckles and a round brass finial. The leather under the roller buckles show indentations from use. The reverse of the box has both the sling and belt loops. Both show only light wear.

The next item is a well-used Union cap box. The outer flap has moderate to heavy crazing but no flaking or surface finish loss except on the very edge of the latch tab. The inner flap is very nice and has both ears. There is a nipple pick present on the inside but no fleece. The body of the box is clean and in excellent condition. The reverse of the box has both belt loops which show heavy wear and use.

The last leather item is Bellew’s heavily used waist belt. The belt itself has heavy wear throughout with a modern piece of leather glued to the inside edge of the belt at the back to support a weak spot. Attached to the belt is a cleaned Pattern 1839 oval “US” belt plate that shows signs of heavy use by way of numerous small nicks on the face. The reverse has all the lead fill both arrow hooks and tongue. Belt surface has some crackling and edge creases.

All the leather in this group has been treated with leather preservative but it was done correctly. The preservative was used lightly and most excess was removed but it can still be felt in some areas.

The last item in the group is a Pattern 1858 smoothside canteen with a dark blue cover that has become threadbare and dirty over the years. The cover has worn through on both sides exposing the canteen body underneath. All three sling keepers are present as is the unmarked pewter spout. The spout does have a small air-hole drilled through it and the original chain and stopper with the chain attached to a hole on one of the upper keepers. There is no sling remaining. Both sides of the canteen body have moderate dents.

Noah Bellew was born June 28, 1847 in Guernsey, Ohio. He was an 18 year old farmer when he enlisted as a Private for 100 days in Company E, 148^th Ohio Infantry on May 17, 1864. At the time he was described as being 5’ 9 ½” tall with a fair complexion, light hair and blue eyes. During his service Bellew’s regiment saw service at Harper’s Ferry and the trenches of Bermuda Hundred. Private Bellew was mustered out on September 14, 1864.

After the war Bellew married and moved to Kansas with his family. He died there in 1931.

Military and pension records as well as copies of genealogical information come with the item.

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