CIVIL WAR SILVER COFFIN PLATE OF A MORTALLY WOUNDED MICHIGAN PRIVATE

CIVIL WAR SILVER COFFIN PLATE OF A MORTALLY WOUNDED MICHIGAN PRIVATE

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$595.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1284-54

This sad relic was removed from the coffin of Private Henry C. Wallace minutes before his internment; a not uncommon practice in Victorian times. The sterling silver plate measures 5 1/2 by 3 3/4 inches and is beautifully engraved: "Henry C, Wallace" over "Co. K 13th Mich" over "Died MAY 27, 1865" over "Aged 21 Years". Henry Wallace born in Indiana enlisted in the 13th Michigan Infantry August 9th, 1864, in Paw Paw and mustered in at Kalamazoo, Michigan September 1, 1864.  He was paid a bounty of just short of $34 dollars. This 21-year-old farm boy as a member of the 13th Michigan Infantry was just over of 6 months in the field when he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bentonville in North Carolina March 19th, 1865. Please view this link (THIRTEENTH MICHIGAN INFANTRY).

Wallace was evacuated to DeCamp Hospital on David's Island New York where he expired as a result of his wounds and complications on May 27th, 1865. He was buried initially at Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long Island, New York and at that time it is a possible that his family requested this coffin plaque be sent to them in La Grange, Indiana. However, evidently his body was soon disinterred and moved to Hicks Cemetery in Lawrence, Van Buren County, Michigan. And it is possible that the coffin plate was removed from the new coffin before this second burial. Please see this link (Henry C Wallace (1843-1865) - Find a Grave Memorial).

With the coffin plate comes a CDV which has always been with it, and it is assumed to be Wallace wearing a great coat and holding a Mississippi rifle (the rifle at the date of his enlistment was outdated and therefore no doubt a studio prop). Coffin plates are found today but these are rarely military. This one is beautifully executed and in just about perfect condition. [pe] [ph:L]

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