Excavated Confederate Block “A” Artillery Button, recovered at Fort Fisher, NC

This is another item being offered, it is an excavated coat-size, 23mm, Confederate Artillery button. It is the block style "A” that denotes the artillery branch of Confederate service and would be considered as a local. It has the tin back, which is rusted, typical of these local buttons; like most, it was varnished to stop the rust. This button was recovered at Fort Fisher, NC many years ago.

After being informed about the large Union army heading toward Wilmington, General Lee ordered Major General Robert Hoke's Division to Fort Fisher. Also, Hoke took command of all Confederate forces in the Wilmington area.

The Union attack started on December 24, 1864 with a naval bombardment. The firepower of Fort Fisher was temporarily silenced because some of its gun positions exploded. This allowed the Navy to land Union infantry. The landing force was intercepted by the arrival of Hoke's troops. The Union attack was effectively thwarted, and on December 27 Benjamin Butler ordered the withdrawal of his 1,000 soldiers who were still on the beach. This was in defiance of Grant's orders, which were to besiege the fort if the assault failed. Because Butler disobeyed his orders, he was relieved of command by Grant.

For a dug button, this one has a very nice face with the prominent “A” with no pushes or damage to the face. It was definitely used and lost by a Confederate artilleryman. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.