This regulation US cartridge box plate was recovered in April 1955 at Resaca by Syd Kerksis, one of the legendary early relic hunters and collectors, author of books on military belt plates and Civil War projectiles. The plate is in Kerksis’s original paper storage envelope bearing his ink notation that he found it in the lines of the 14^th Army Corps, which was in the center of Sherman’s lines.

The plate is the standard 1839 pattern made of die-struck rolled brass with a lead-solder filled back serving both as an ornament and to hold down the flap of the cartridge box if left unlatched by the soldier. The color is a caramel brown with some faint traces of patinated brass showing through. There are some light scratches but the lettering is sharp and the edge has no nicks or dings. The lead-solder fill is nice and even, showing as a light gray with some white and some light brown. Both loops are in place.

Resaca was fought on May 14-15, 1864 after Sherman maneuvered Johnston back from Dalton in the opening of the Atlanta Campaign. Johnston arrayed his forces in a long arc facing west along a ridge. Union attacks the first day were halted in hard, back and forth fighting with the 14^th Corps in the center of the lines. Fighting continued the next day with Sherman pressuring Johnston’s right and then flanking Johnston’s left, which again compelled his withdrawal, and the fighting once more shifted southward.

This is in excellent, excavated condition, from a significant engagement, and with great provenance to an early and respected collector and author.  [sr] [ph:m/L]

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