This regulation US cartridge box plate was recovered by Syd Kerksis, well known early relic hunter, collector and author, in the position covered by the 4^th Army Corps in Sherman’s assault at Kennesaw Mountain on June 27, 1864. Kerksis noted on his collection envelope, still with the plate, that he found it there 23 May 1970. Kennesaw was a rare defeat for Sherman, one that cost him about 3,000 casualties in what turned out to be his last direct assault on Confederate lines, perhaps made in the misguided belief Johnston would be stretched thin and not expecting such an uncharacteristic move. Ironically, troops on his right had the greatest success and paved the way for yet another successful flanking maneuver. The 4^th Corps, part of Thomas’s Army of the Cumberland, was commanded by Oliver Howard in the battle and fought in the center of the line, facing Cleburne’s division of Hardee’s corps.

The face of the plate is a brown in tone with some light scratches, but no dings or dents. The rim shows mostly as light brown, but also without damage. The lead-solder fill is in place in the rear of the plate, showing light corrosion with a thin, light brown over gray and white with small pockmarks, but no large missing portions or cracks. The iron-wire loops are no longer there, but their bases are evident and marked by small brown stains to the fill.

The plate is the regulation M1839 pattern cartridge box plate used by Union infantry through the Civil War and has a tight provenance, coming from a prominent early collector with recovery on a notable battlefield.  [sr] [ph:m/L]

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