“Bullet-in-Wood” from the Wilderness, Virginia Battlefield

This is another unique item being offered; it is a Civil War “Bullet-in-Wood”. It appears to be a .58 caliber Minie ball which struck a tree. As seen in the pictures, there is still some of the wood attached to the bullet. The lead from the bullet has a chemical reaction with the wood which in turn will often preserve the wood that surrounds the projectile. This one was recovered years ago from the Wilderness, VA battlefield.

The Battle of the Wilderness fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Both armies suffered heavy casualties, which was an indication of what lied ahead.

The battle was inconclusive and on May 7th, Grant disengaged and moved to the southeast, intending to leave the Wilderness to interpose his army between Lee and Richmond, leading to the bloody Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

These bullets have always been a very popular souvenir. Many Civil War veterans who returned to visit a battlefield, often purchased one from a local to take home as a souvenir of the battle.