Page 45 - March 2022

by John Sexton
Q: I have a Confederate belt buckle I personally dug from the ground in
Todd County, KY. Looking for an evaluation of its authenticity and
approximate value. Photos attached with a ruler for scale. Thank you for
your time.

JS: Congratulations on your find! It appears to be a standard pattern
found throughout the Western Theater in late 1863 and after. The best
way to find prices is to visit websites of dealers who buy and sell these, and
there are many. One dealer I know in Kentucky is Ken Hamilton (cell
859-552-4469) who also promotes the John Hunt Morgan Civil War
show in Lexington. Also, two dealers who always have Confederate buck-
les for sale are Alan Gaskins (NCCivilWarRelics.com) and Nick Peruit
(ArmyofTennesseeRelics.com).
Just glancing at prices, these seem to run from $3,000 to $4,500 A dug-from-the-ground CSA buckle, The buckle’s back.
depending on overall aesthetics, and yours looks very nice. You could take $3,000-$4,500.
your buckle to a Civil War show and let all the dealers fight over it. :-)

1 2 3

1. Capt. Oliver’s unique escutcheon in a 20th century design. Escutcheons retail usually between $75 and $250. 2. The upper portion of the escutcheon with
an eagle design and part of his service record. 3. The lower portion of the escutcheon with Capt. Oliver’s photo and part of his service record.

Q: I stumbled across your website and your very generous invitation to help with Span-Am or WWI memorials. Along with a list of engagements
identify Civil War artifacts. I’m sharing an image of what we have – a sort while he was with the 5th Wisconsin is a photo taken of him in 1862
of drawing that lists the soldier, his title and roles, battles fought, and a while a lieutenant. Regardless, these are sold at a wide range of prices by
photo at the bottom. Civil War dealers, $75-$250; all are unique to each soldier.
I don’t know much about it; just that it’s from my husband’s family. Joseph Brown Oliver entered service as a Private on May 5, 1861, in
It’s a failure of imagination, perhaps, that I couldn’t come up with a the 5th Wisconsin Infantry; he fought with the Army of the Potomac in
search term that yielded any results, and a reverse image search didn’t all major battles in Virginia. He was soon promoted to 1st lieutenant in
turn up anything. June and captain in October 1862.
I wouldn’t want to impose, but if this rings any bells, would you share He cites acknowledgments from General Hancock and Colonel
any thoughts, if that’s convenient? Thanks so much for even considering it. Amasa Cobb, the regiment’s commander, which helped his promotion to
captain. Oliver lists his engagements, the last being Fredericksburg, VA.
JS: What you have is a unique soldier’s escutcheon. Often, memorials of He resigned on January 26, 1863, before the next big battle of
war service were purchased from a plethora of vendors who made items Fredericksburg where his unit would have more than 100 casualties.
from the very simple to elaborate oil-on-canvas artwork. Joseph B. Oliver (1840-1922) returned home to Milwaukee and stayed
Captain Oliver either drew this himself, or someone else made him a active with the GAR until his death at 82.
unique memorial in the style of early 20th century design like those seen

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