Neither Syd Kerksis nor the Mule-Shoe Salient should need much of an introduction. Kerksis was a very well known and respected early relic hunter, collector and author. The “Mule Shoe Salient,” was a portion of the Confederate entrenched line at Spottsylvania that protruded forward to control some higher ground, but left its defenders exposed to enfilading fire and attacks from three sides, a situation that culminated in Hancock’s massive assault early in the morning of May 12, 1864. This  overran Confederate front lines and then bogged down in close-quarter fighting in mud, blood, and rain earning the salient the new nickname “Bloody Angle” as the Union attackers and reinforcements strove to break through completely and Confederates tried to hold them off and stabilize the front with a new line of trenches across the base of the salient, something they managed to do, but only after 24 hours of intense combat that caused both sides an estimated 17,000 casualties, and did not end the fighting at Spottsylvania.

This is the regulation M1839 cartridge box plate used throughout the Civil War, made of stamped rolled brass with a leader-solder filled back holding in place an iron wire formed into two loops by which it would be attached to the flap of the soldier’s cartridge box with a leather thong. This plate comes with its original collection envelope with Kerkis’s notations on its find date and location, and rates very good or better for condition. The face has good definition to the raised “US” and raised rim around the edge, with no dents or dings. The central portion shows mainly as a light brown with the edge showing a thin gray and white, with one dark stain over the “S.” The reverse has its lead-solder fill in place with a level surface,  showing gray and thin light brown with some small darker brown stains from oxidation of the iron wire loops. The back shows no significant losses to the lead solder fill. Please see our photos.

This is a U.S. regulation accoutrement plate with a tight provenance from a prominent collector and author, and one recovered on a famous battlefield. From Kerksis’ find location- “Found in Confederate trench at base of mule shoe salient” – it would seem very likely the cartridge box it was on was taken from a Union casualty in the fighting by a Confederate soldier who brought it back to their new line of defense and used its contents on its former owners to hold the position.  [sr][ph:L]

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