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One Brass Button, Lustrous Gold in color with some blackening on the raised image. The button features a castle, a rising sun, a flying eagle, and the words "Essayons" on a banner in the center. The phrase "Essayons" demonstrates that it belonged to an Army Engineer uniform, to which this design and motto are unique. Essayons means, "Let Us Try" in French, demonstrating the Army Corps of Engineer's ingenuity and tenacity regarding all problems they might face in the field. The Button is made of brass which indictates it dates from before WWII and most likely dates to the Civil War, as evidenced by the Manufacturer's marking on the reverse, which reads, "Scoville MFG Co * Waterbury*". Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5445522701/. Located in Textiles S1, SS1, Box 3. Mss 1926.072.A16

One rusted iron canister shot ball. Canister shot was typically used during the Civil War for land engagements, unlike grapeshot which was used primarily by the Navy. The shots are cast out of solid iron and would be loaded into a hollow iron or tin can. The canister would then be fired from a smooth bore cannon and the shot would be propelled forward, with enough power to go through four to five men. 1.125" diameter. Transferred from the Civil War Collection. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5445521757/. Located in T&E S6 SS1, Box 1. Mss 39.1C76.A10a

One canister shot ball. Canister shot was typically used during the civil war for land engagements, unlike grapeshot which was used primarily by the Navy. The shots are cast out of solid iron and would be loaded into a hollow iron or tin can. The canister would then be fired from a smooth bore cannon and the shot would be propelled forward, with enough power to go through four to five men. 0.875" diameter. Transferred from the Civil War Collection. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446121776/. Located in T&E S6 SS1, Box 1. Mss 39.1C76.A10b

The paper cartridge box is printed on in black ink with the words "6 Cartridges Colts Army Pistol C.S. Laborator Richmond, V.A." In handwriting there is a signature, as well as the date "Oct 27th 1863". The ammunition which would have been contained in the box was for the Colts Army Pistol, a weapon used by both the Union and Confederacy during the war. The C. S. Laborator print indicates it was produced by the Conferedate States Laboratory in Richmond, Virginia. The cartridges this box would have carried would have been paper, since the metal cartridge was not introduced for widescale use until after the Civil War. 3.5" x 0.5"x 1.25." Transferred from the Civil War Collection. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446121524/. Located in T&E S6 SS1, Box 1. Mss 39.1C76.A2

Brass and lead Union breastplate with an Eagle holding three arrows on the front. The breastplate has obtained a brown patina on its face, and the reverse side has four small solder posts, which would have formed two small loops. Breastplates such as these were worn on the strap of a soldiers ammunition box, which would cover their heart. The eagle ensignia on the front is indicative of the style issued to Union forces. 2.125" diameter. Transferred from the Civil War Collection. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446122136/. Located in T&E S6 SS1, Box 1. Mss 39.1 C76.A10d

2-Great Star Flags each with 34 stars in the shape of a larger star. This flag was in use during the Civil War from 1861-1863 during Lincoln's presidency. The flags are made out of silk and are tied to wooden sticks. They are 9.5inx6.5in. The flags are in poor condition with fading and many small tears covering the flags. Image available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/4390913776. Transferred from group12, Box 1 of the Galt Papers 3. Located in Textiles S1,SS4, Box 8. Mss. 78 G73.A18ab

One Indian Head Cent, Copper, 19mm Diameter, minted in 1863. The coin is well-worn and features some minor oxidation. The coin features the typical front with Lady Liberty in a feathered headdress; and the reverse features an oak and laurel wreath with the words "ONE CENT" within. Recovered by Robert Nelson Howard in 1926 on his property Bay View on Fish Neck in Dare, Virginia. Donated along with 48 other coins and one brass button; only 15 coins could be located as of this entry. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446171112/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1926.072.A04

One Indian Head Cent, Copper, minted in 1863. The coin features the typical front with Lady Liberty in a feathered headdress; and the reverse features an oak and laurel wreath with the words "ONE CENT" within. 3/4" diameter. The coin is in worn condition. Recovered by Robert Nelson Howard in 1926 on his property Bay View on Fish Neck in Dare, Virginia. Donated along with 48 other coins and one brass button; only 15 coins could be located as of this entry. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446171112/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1926.072.A05

28 - coins relating to George Washington. Some of the coins in this collection date back to the 1780s, while one is a 1960 restrike. One interesting specimen is a 1795 Washington grate Halfpenny, which was minted and used in Britain at the time. Grate halfpennies such as this one were minted as a part of a promotion for a fireplace grate manufacturing company. Another pair of interesting specimens are the North Wales Halfpennies. These halfpennies were minted in Birmingham as "evasion tokens", which were basically legal conterfeits. Because counterfeiting in Britain was only illegal for Regal Coinage, counterfeiters could legally produce facsimiles of other coinage as "tokens" which would then be used in place of actual currency. Gift of the Estate of Charles Lark Jr. Images are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446172942/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5445573737/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1984.042.J1-J28