Civil War “US” Union Belt Plate, dug in 1999 at Columbia Tennessee

Being offered is an excavated Union “US” Belt Plate. It is the larger size, measuring 3 ½” x 2 ¼”. It has the full lead back and the belt hook, but the two studs are gone, probably why it was lost. It was recovered in 1999, south of Franklin off the Columbia Pike in Columbia, Tennessee. It was found in a vacant lot next to a gas station.

Columbia was strategically important for its railroad, size and abundant crop and livestock production. Confederate failure to disable the Union at Columbia set up major Confederate defeats at Franklin and Nashville.

Columbia’s most significant combat role occurred November 24 through 29, 1864, during Confederate General John Bell Hood’s campaign to capture Nashville. On a main route between the state capital and the Deep South, Columbia was important in the struggle for control of the area due to its Nashville & Decatur Railroad.

U.S. Brigadier General Thomas Ruger’s eight hundred men had been occupying Columbia, protecting railroad and Duck River bridge crossings. They joined General John M. Schofield’s sizeable incoming army to thwart Hood’s plan.

The resulting series of skirmishes slowed Hood’s march to Nashville, and ultimately resulted in a Union victory since the Confederates were not able to capture Columbia. The Confederate failure to disable the Union at Columbia was a missed opportunity that set up the major Confederate defeats at Franklin and Nashville.

Schofield’s troops were able to bypass Hood’s soldiers on the night of November 29th to beat them to Franklin, and then ultimately combine forces with other Federal troops for their decisive victory in the state’s capital.

There are a couple of hairline freeze cracks, but overall, it is a very solid plate with a great untouched patina. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.