Civil War U.S. Belt Plate recovered at Fredericksburg, still has some leather remaining

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Civil War Union Belt Plate. It measures approximately 3 1/8" x 2 1/8". The back still has the lead remaining and the two iron early “puppy paw” attachment hooks – most excavated examples, the two attachment hooks are gone.

What is really rare is that part of the leather belt that went around the hooks still remains. That is something that has always been very scarce and sought out by collectors. One of my first belt plates had leather remaining and has always been one of my favorites (see pictures). This plate was recovered years ago from the Fredericksburg, VA Battlefield.

On November 14, 1862, Union General Ambrose Burnside sent a corps to occupy the vicinity of Falmouth near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Lee reacted by entrenching his army on the heights behind the town. On December 13, after pontoon bridges were laid, Union forces crossed the Rappahannock River under fire.

Burnside mounted a series of futile frontal assaults on Prospect Hill and Marye's Heights that resulted in staggering casualties. On December 15, Burnside called off the offensive and recrossed the river, ending the failed campaign.

This is a very interesting belt plate and remains a very solid piece. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.