Section of large size Copper Peace Flask recovered at Orange County, VA

This is a piece that is rarely recovered from Civil War sites and battlefields, it is half of Copper Peace Flask. The design consists of a spread-winged eagle above a circle of 26 five-pointed stars. In the center of the circle are a pair of shaking hands within a sunburst. Below the circle of stars is a US shield at the center of a panoply of flags with crossed cannons and a Corinthian helmet. This design is found on both sides of the flask (see picture of non-dug example). This flask was recovered years ago at Orange County, VA.

During the Civil War, Orange County had important railroad hubs and hospital centers for the Confederacy. Confederate military companies recruited from the county included three companies of the 13th Virginia Infantry, the Gordonsville Grays, two artillery companies, one cavalry company (the Orange Rangers), and many soldiers in the 7th Virginia Infantry, Wise Artillery and 6th Virginia Cavalry.

General Robert E. Lee often rode through the county and wintered the Army of Northern Virginia in Orange County during 1863–64, the Rapidan River becoming a defensive line. Cavalry raids against the railroad supply lines occurred, including several at Rapidan on the border with Culpeper County. Troops often crossed the Rapidan River at Germanna Ford near Locust Grove.

After Fredericksburg fell to Union forces, Mosby's Rangers were formed and conducted some operations (as well as recovered from wounds) in Orange County; Mosby himself was once captured while waiting for a train in Beaverdam in Hanover County for travel through Orange County. The 1863 Battle of Mine Run and the 1864 Battle of the Wilderness both occurred in eastern Orange County, as Union troops drove toward the Confederacy's capital. The latter became a significant turning point in the war.

The flask is in nice condition, just as it came out of the ground. These peace flasks were highly desired during the war and were expensive for the average soldier. This makes them quite rare when you come across a dug example….even if it is only half. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.