Confederate North Carolina Sunburst button with “NC”, dug Orange, VA

Here is another nice button being offered, it is a dug Confederate North Carolina button. It is a coat-size Sunburst button measuring 23mm and is designated as NC16a. It has the letters “NC” on a lined field in the center, probably a Confederate local. Reverse shows missing shank as is typical with 90% of ground recoveries. It was recovered many years ago at a CS campsite in Orange, Virginia.

The Town of Orange was a strategically important location during the Civil War. Just north of town, the Rapidan River was effectively the northern border of the Confederacy from March 1862 to May 1864. Consequently, the area witnessed countless troop movements, patrols, skirmishes, and encampments.

In addition, the Town of Orange served as General Robert E. Lee's headquarters during that time. In fact, General Lee worshipped at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Caroline Street, which still stands today. This church is also significant because it served as a hospital for Confederate wounded after the Battle of Chancellorsville, and the Battle of the Wilderness.

This is not what you would call a “top shelf” button, but it is one that was definitely on the coat of a Confederate soldier while fighting in Virginia. There is a tiny freeze crack, but this doesn’t distract from the overall appearance.