Hooks from the back of a Civil War Belt Plate, dug in Atlanta

This is another nice piece being offered, it is the complete hooks from the reverse of a Civil War belt plate. Probably from a U.S. or SNY oval plate. These types of hooks are referred to as “arrowhead”. Out of desperation for bullets, Confederate soldiers would melt down the back of these buckles, discard the hooks, and use the lead to make bullets. This particular piece was recovered in the Atlanta area.

The Battle of Atlanta of July 22, 1864, was part of the Union’s summer Atlanta Campaign. Union Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and James B. McPherson successfully defended against a Confederate offensive from General John Bell Hood on the eastern outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia. Although the Union victory inflicted heavy casualties on Hood’s army, the city of Atlanta would not fall to Sherman until September of that year.

Apparently, melting down these belt plates was a common practice, mostly out of desperation for lead for ammunition by the Confederacy, this is validated by the number of hooks found at CS campsites. This is a nice solid piece, and it still swivels. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.