Civil War period tin cut stencil meas. approx. 3.50 x 1.75 inches. It is discolored and has some tin loss on two letters. The letters affected are an “O” and an “E.” There are some minor cracks to the top edge and a bit of waviness otherwise it is in very good shape. The name on the stencil reads “J. C. SPORE.” With the item comes the original digger’s label. This label meas. approx. 2.75 x 0.50 inches. It is typed and reads “NAME STENCIL FOUND ON THE FRAYSER’S FARM (GLENDALE) VIRGINIA BATTLEFIELD IN 1962. LOST JUNE 30, 1862.”

An Internet search brought up 7 men named J. Spore and two men named J.C. Spore. Of the 7 names listed 6 were from Missouri or Illinois and in regiments that were no where near the Frayser’s Farm battlefield.  The one who seems the most likely candidate would be 34 year old John C. Spore of Fulton, New York who enlisted as a Private in Company I, 134^th New York on August 28, 1862. He was mustered in on September 23, 1862. He was discharged on January 5, 1864. Though he enlisted after the battle of Frayser’s Farm the stencil could have been lost by him while passing through the area later on, or, it could have been found and brought home by a Reb who lived in that area and later discarded… the possibilities are endless and we will never know for sure. There is no doubt as to its place of recovery.