This maker-marked cartridge box plate was found by Syd Kerksis, one of the legendary early relic hunters and collectors, author of “Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795-1874,” and is still in his collection envelope, annotated with the date and location where he found it: Blackford’s Ford, Maryland, in July 1960. Also known as Boteler’s Ford and other names, this was the spot where Stonewall Jackson’s troops crossed into Maryland on their way to Antietam after capturing Harpers Ferry, and where the Army of Northern Viriginia crossed back into Virginia after the battle.

This is the regulation US 1839 pattern plate worn on the flap of the cartridge box, used throughout the war, made of stamped rolled brass with a lead-solder filled back to add stiffness and weight, and secure an embedded iron wire bent to form two loops for attachment by a leather thong. As noted on Kerksis’ envelope this also the stamped maker’s mark, “W.H. SMITH / BROOKLYN,” on the reverse - a major supplier of these plates to the Union army. See O’Donnell and Campbell Plate 528 for a similar Smith marked plate.

This has a pleasing olive-brown patina on the face, showing just a some gray along the raised rim, with no dings to edge and good definition to the letters. The lead solder fill on the back is level, gray in color with just a few small, shallow flakes near the edge and some corrosion around the bases of the iron wire loops, which show rust, but are all there and secure. These were decorative and functional, helping to keep the flap of the cartridge box down if the soldier forgot to latch it in the heat of the moment. The two-line maker’s stamp is legible and unambiguous, showing just some slight corrosion in the middle of Smith’s name and a little light on the last letter of each line.

This is in excellent condition, has a recorded find location connecting it with a major battle of the Civil War, and has a great provenance to a well-known early relic hunter and author. Jackson’s troops seized a large quantity of Union arms, equipment and supplies when they took Harper’s Ferry. There is a very good chance this was removed from a captured Union cartridge box and discarded on the march to Antietam by its new Rebel owner who appreciated the new equipment, but disliked the US insignia.  [sr][ph:L]

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