Photos

[GreencoatCross]

Pictured here is my original sequin hat star/rosette, a Miss./Texas belt plate, and several sets of shirt collar stars. The stars were "eyeballed" and hand-cut from white Hainsworth facing cloth and I am way too happy with their irregular look. The belt plate is a reproduction by Parsley Brass and can be seen on an original sword belt in EoG:CS as well as on the unidentified Confederate below (picture from recent eBay auction). I would love to incorporate this into my impression but would like some feedback...it seems that "forked-tongue" buckles were way, way more common.

[roundshot]

Re: Photos

Hi, Brian. The plate in question is a common militia panel plate of the 1840s-1850s and has no particular association with Mississippi other than, perhaps, coincidentally. They are pictured being worn by Rebs of several Southern states (including the Guilford Grays of the 27th NC) and occasionally by Federals as well. After the war Horstman of Philadelphia struck a number of these from original dies but I cannot say if they were the original manufacturer. Like you say, the forked tongue buckle is frequently displayed in photos of Mississippi soldiers, and occasionally the oval state seal plate. Common sheet brass plates have also been found in Mississippi camps.According to Howard Crouch's book "Relic Hunter," an early Mississippi camp in Northern Virginia yielded three of the crude oval egg-shaped 'CS' buckles. Unfortunately, its identity is a mystery.

[roundshot]

Re: Photos

For instance, concerning the Militia star panel plate, here is the Lt. Colonel of the 87th New York wearing one. From O' Donnell, "American Military belt Plates."

[Mcguire]

Re: Photos

Very cool Brian. How did you come across the hat star/rosette?

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Photos

Bob, thanks for sharing that photo; never seen a Federal wearing that particular belt plate! I'm going with a snake-tongue buckle instead of one of these militia plates.

David, I got the star/rosette from Matt Caldwell. Actually my business partner Dan owned it and didn't want it, so I poached it with a bunch of other stuff he bought from Matt.

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Photos

Those stars can be found all over the place on 19th-early 20th century Odd Fellows collars. I have a near identical rosette I made several years ago (hadnt thought of using it at Mannasssas till now).

Now I don't really advocate destroying old fraternal regalia, but if you find a collar that is just completely trashed, you'll find that the stars are usually fine and won't feel too guilty.

Here is an image of just three styles of such collars.

[roundshot]

Re: Photos

You gents researching the 2nd Mississippi might find this site interesting concerning the post- Manassas late 1861 camp of the 2nd Mississippi (Camp Fisher) near Dumfries:

https://billriski.backpackit.com/pub/1191971

Check out the carved powder horn done by a member of that regiment. Also check out some of the further links at the bottom of the page, particularly "The Lost Camp," to see some interesting relics from the area.