The items in this group have a verbal ID to Corporal James H. Edwards of Company C, 18^th Michigan Infantry. The group consists of a waist belt with plate and cap box, bayonet & scabbard, cartridge box with sling and a Model 1861 Springfield musket.

The first piece in the group is Edward’s waist belt with US plate and cap box. The leather of the belt is in good pliable condition with moderate surface wear from use and age. The brass keeper has been removed from one end. Attached to the other end is a Pattern 1839 oval “US” belt plate with a nice light patina to the face. Reverse has 100% of the lead fill, both arrow hooks and tongue. Attached to the belt is a cap box with a worn and split latch tab. The surface of the outer flap has some very light crazing. Inner flap has both ears and an unreadable maker’s mark. The interior of the cap box has very worn lamb’s wool but no pick. The belt loops are good and show some wear. Also with the belt are the Model 1855 bayonet and scabbard. Scabbard and frog are of bridle leather. Frog is the two rivet variety. The surface of the leather scabbard is good with some minor creases and surface crackling. These defects were caused by use and are not serious. The very bottom of the brass scabbard tip is missing. Frog shows wear but is solid. The central seam of the scabbard is tightly closed. The bayonet has a dark socket and a weak “S” on the “US’ stamping. The body of the bayonet is semi-bright with moderate mottling over its surface. The bayonet fits most of the way on the musket but both would need a little cleaning to fit perfectly. The color of the barrel and the socket of the bayonet match perfectly.

Also in the group is Edward’s cartridge box and sling. The leather of the sling is like that of the waist belt, pliable and in good used condition. The Model 1826 eagle breast plate is still attached by the original leather thong. It is in wonderful condition with a nice pleasing patina to match the belt plate and cartridge box plate. The box itself has wonderful signs of use which will be pointed out as they come up in the description. The surface of the outer flap shows light wear and gentle creasing along the top. There is no surface finish loss. Affixed at center is the oval “US” box plate and below that is a single line of stitching for the latch tab and no rivet. The inner flap has both ears and two small scuffs or insect scars. Implement pocket is good. Both tins are present and in one is the lower half of a .58 minie ball cartridge. The bottom of the box has a rounded brass finial flanked by two roller buckles with deep indentations from carrying a load of 40 cartridges. Reverse of the box has both the belt and sling loops. The sling loops show wear as does the sling in this area. The wear is actually a smoothing out of the leather surface from rubbing while the box was full and being worn.

All the leather described above has that lightly worn, used look that tells you the items had hard use but were well cared for.

The last item in the group is a Model 1861 Springfield musket. The walnut stock show signs of heavy use with numerous scratches and a few dings and dents. The heaviest scratches seem to be in the area of the butt however there are others scattered throughout. Happily there are no cracks or serious chips. Overall the stock is solid. No inspector cartouche remains. Lock is semi-bright and may have been lightly cleaned at one time. Lock is dated “1861” behind the hammer with a nice spread-winged eagle over “SPRINGFIELD” forward of the hammer. Action works but the half-cock position is reached almost as soon as the hammer is lifted. Half-cock safety holds as does the full cock. Hammer falls properly. Barrel is a plumb brown over its length with the original nipple and a build-up of crud and rust around the bolster. Clean-out screw shows wear. No barrel markings are visible. Proper rear sight is present but flip up leaf is frozen. Proper barrel bands are present as are both sling loops and they match the barrel in color. Original correct ramrod is also present.

The belt, cartridge box and musket all have old modern tags that read “CARRIED BY CORPL. JAMES H. EDWARDS CO. C 18^TH MICH. INF.”

James H. Edwards was born in 1845. He was 18 years old and living in Adrian when he enlisted as a Private in Company C, 18^th Michigan Infantry on July 26, 1862. The regiment was sent to Kentucky during an incursion by Confederates under General Pegram. After the threat was over the regiment was sent to Nashville, Tennessee where it did Provost Duty until June of 1864 when they became part of the 20^th Corps. The regiment was sent to Decatur, Alabama where they encountered Wheeler’s and then Forrest’s Cavalry. General Hood made an attempt on Decatur but after three days was repulsed. The 18^th was eventually sent to Huntsville where it did garrison duty. On June 1, 1865 Private Edwards was promoted to Corporal. He was discharged on June 26, 1865 with his regiment. Research accompanying the items shows that upon his being mustered out Corporal Edwards was charged $6.50 for “one Springfield rifle and accouterments.” During its service the regiment faced the enemy in 6 engagements, none of which are well known, but suffered 23 men killed in action, died of wounds or in Rebel prisons, 208 by disease, 68 killed in the “SULTANA” tragedy and 122 discharged for wounds or disease.

In 1869 Edwards moved to Newaygo, Michigan and went into the hides and leather business of Edwards and Chubb. Sometime later he switched to the hardware business until 1900 when he retired to farm. In 1874 he married Alice Banker. They had two sons and two daughters. Mr. Edwards was a member of the GAR and died in 1926 and was laid to rest in the Newaygo Cemetery.

With the items is a typescript copy of one of Corporal Edward’s journals that runs from January 1, 1863-January 1, 1864. With the typescript is a short biography from the soldiers Grandson from whom these items were obtained by the previous owner.

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