This plate was recovered at Dalton, Georgia, and originally came from well-known and respected Civil War dealer Larry Hicklen. This is a good example of the classic rectangular CSA belt plate associated primarily with the Atlanta Arsenal. The face shows typical stippling from sand casting, but the letters are large, crisply delineated, have nice serifs and well-defined periods. All three fastening hooks are in place on the back. Front and back show a matching patina of brown and olive with some gray and white mixed in in recesses and a little natural rubbing on the raised flats of the belt hooks to muted copper tone. The plate is free of dings, bends, or repairs.

After its defeats by Grant in the Chattanooga campaign the Army of Tennessee fell back in November 1863 to Dalton, shielded by mountain ranges, where it reorganized under Joe Johnston and held its position until May 1864. Thomas tested the position in February 1864, but the major fighting took place May 7 – 12 at the outset of Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign with fighting at Tunnel Hill, Dug Gap, Mill Creek Gap, Rocky Face Ridge and Crow Valley. Sherman eventually maneuvered Johnston out the position by getting troops through Snake Creek Gap and threatening his rear, but failed to cut him off by seizing Resaca in time and the campaign continued in series of maneuvers and bloody fights.

This is a classic Confederate plate with a good provenance and recovered from the scene of the climactic western theatre campaign.  [sr] [ph:m]

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