Identified percussion cap box from a black soldier in the 53rd Regiment, US Colored Troops

This is another great piece being offered, it is an identified Union Percussion Cap Box. It has both belt loops on the back, the cover is intact, and the original brass finial and closing strap remains (no visible makers mark). On the inside there is a period carved name “EDWARD / 53RD A…”. As the tag states, this box belonged to Edward Watson (one document list him as Edwin).

Watson was 18 years old when he enlisted on May 19, 1863, at Warrenton, Mississippi as a Private. He was mustered into “C” Company of the 53^rd US Colored Infantry. The regiment was made up of formerly enslaved African men.

On July 16, 1864, the Fifty-third was involved in an action at Grand Gulf in which a Confederate officer claimed, “the enemy attacked at daybreak but were badly whipped and driven demoralized from the field, leaving their dead in our hands.” The Fifty-third served in Arkansas for several months toward the end of the war.

The recruiting of African military units to serve in the Union army was approved with the creation of the U.S. War Department’s Bureau of Colored Troops on May 22, 1863, but the Third Mississippi Infantry Regiment (African Descent) had already been organized at Warrenton, Mississippi, on May 19, 1863. As with the other regiments of Black troops, all of the officers were white, though Black men could serve as noncommissioned officers.

As with just about all of the new black enlistees, they were illiterate – even more so being from Mississippi. Many of the new soldiers didn’t even know how to write their name when needed to sign their enlistment papers – many just entered an “X”. No doubt, Watson was one of those who were unable to write, probably why he carved (or had someone else do it), only his first name “Edward”.

This is a nice cap box and still in decent condition. Just about any Civil War item associated with black soldiers or black regiments, is almost impossible to find. This would make a great addition to any collection.