Civil War Pistol Cartridge Box, identified to a soldier in the 16th VT, fought in Gettysburg at Pickett’s Charge

This is a rare, identified pistol cartridge box, measuring 5 ¾” x 4” x 1 ¾”. On the inside of the front cover is “Harland O. Peabody / 13 Jan. 1863”. It is complete with both belt loops, leather closing tab and brass finial.

Harland Peabody enlisted as a sergeant on August 29, 1862, and on October 23^rd he was assigned to Company C, 16^th Vermont Infantry. He was promoted to 2^nd Lieutenant, 1^st Lieutenant, and then Adjutant.  

The 16th Vermont Infantry under Col. Wheelock G. Veazey, played a critical role at Gettysburg by helping break Pickett's Charge on July 3, 1863. As part of Stannard’s 2nd Vermont Brigade, they flanked Kemper’s and Wilcox’s Confederate brigades, capturing hundreds of prisoners and protecting Cemetery Ridge.

The regiment arrived on July 1st after a forced march and occupied a position on Cemetery Ridge. On July 2^nd the regiment held the picket lines and helped repel an assault by Confederate forces. On July 3rd (Pickett's Charge) when Pickett’s troops charged, the 16th Vermont (along with the 13th and 14th Vermont) moved out of their line to attack the flank of Kemper’s Brigade. Following this, they turned and attacked the flank of Wilcox's Brigade.

The regiment brought 661 men to the field, losing 16 killed, 102 wounded, and 1 missing. Due to their term of service expiring, the regiment returned to Vermont shortly after the battle. I am pretty sure that Peabody would have had this box at Gettysburg.