Packaged bullet recovered from the Antietam Battlefield

This is a unique item being offered, it is a bullet from the Antietam Battlefield. It is mounted on a 6 ½” x 5” card. It has an image of a GAR veteran membership medal and below, under the bullet is “MINIE BALL / RECOVERED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD”. It also says that it was actually fired in the Battle of Antietam and was recovered from the battlefield.

The back of the card describes the September 17, 1862, Battle of Antietam – the bloodiest day in American history. After the Civil War and well into the 20th century, there were thousands of GAR posts, the majority in the Northeast. Many veterans visited battlefields and acquired relics, which they would donate to their GAR post or from their families.

As the 20th century progressed, the veterans became older and passed, until the membership declined so much that the GAR posts were forced to close down. After their closing, there were thousands or relics remaining that had to be sold or donated to other organizations. These bullets originated from one of those GAR posts and were packaged to sell as souvenirs or fund raisers. I recovered several of these interesting pieces and they all remain in nice condition.