Ok What Is It?

[SemoPreacher]

I found this last year at a site where an old railroad town was established, we have found silver dating back to single digit 1900's and when I hit this I was surprised thinking I had found something from CW period, except for the U.S.A. on the back.....so.....if someone has something like it, or information about what it could be let's get the ball rolling....I'll throw a barber half to the first person who comes up with what it is....

 

[ivan salis]

picket post or "guard duty" was often just lonely standing around watching and listening in the nearby wood leaning against a tree or propped up by your rifle ( they had to be extra careful at night * you would not sit down for fear of falling asleep this could get you killed by the enemy slipping up as well as by your own commanders if you were found "sleeping" while on guard duty -- for that you could be shot --it was serious bussiness) --- picket post duty was done by hiding in the woods close by the camp watching and listen for sounds of enemy troops "slipping up on the camp " to set up an attack ---if saw enemy troops you were to "alarm" the camp by opening fire on the enemy and heading for camp . the guns were heavy and thus were not held in hand all night but rested just the way hes shown -- if you hear something you get ready and fire .

 

[ivan salis]

TT those men are as you say on "formal" guard duty (note that their wearing dress uniforms too which would not normally be done) -- now think real every day civil war grunt duty -- day in and day out in cold ,rain -- day and night picket type duty --(your dog tired but you can not sit down for fear of falling asleep ) so you stand there propping yourself up with your weapon listining and looking for "movement" --- as a hunter I often "hear" the deers moving thru the woods before I see them -- the famous confederate general jeb stuart was accidently shot by one of his own "nervious" pickets when he was returning form scouting union lines near nightfall.

 

[ivan salis]

sure the tired but vailant brave soldier "always on watch" over the body of the respected dead -- its a flag holder of sorts that was used during veterans day to hold the "flag" that was placed upon soldiers graves in days gone by.

 

[ivan salis]

these were from long ago and as such are very old and were only found in the graveyards -- taking one out of a grave yard would be like lootiing so thus no one would "remove" one --- however over time slowly over the years they would have been "phazed out" as grounds keeper started using power equiptment to up keep the grounds -- by the way today most graveyards no longer allow "free standing items" and want flat brass type grave markers & head stones to reduce "upkeep" cost and labor .

 

[SemoPreacher]

Re: Ok What Is It? ( More Info )

Ok, Let's begin with this, the tiny township of Henderson Mounds was founded along the Pacific Railroad tracks, an actual date isn't known, but from the bottles that have been found, it could go back to mid - late 1800's. From the coins that have been found in the area, no clad era, my self the oldest coin was a 1901 Indian Head penny,but others have found late 1890's , the town has all but vanished leaving behind only remnents of brick and brack. Now, as far as grave markers are concerned, I can't find any information of a grave site close to the vacinity, but there should have been someplace set aside to bury the dead, there were several small churches in the area, within 5 miles so maybe this could have been from a local cemetary alongside the church, but ....and this is a big BUT.....I found this item about three inches under the ground level, of course the ground had been broken up previously about 12 inches deep, so it could have been rolled up, I believe it may have been held by someone who could have been a relative, but who knows. I would like to see a picture of an item with one of these in full unbroken view, just to see what in the world it is. I am attaching more angle views of the piece with this post, thanks again for all your helpful information, and if it is a grave marker piece, whoever identified it first will get the half...Jack

 

[Mainedigger]

How heavy is it...from the latest pics it looks like a book end

 

[Ken from Atlanta]

just a thought, but if it were straightened out, it could be the handle for a spoon or fork from some kind of commemorative set.

 

[Ken from Atlanta]

yep a spoon here's one just like it and they can be seen at this site : http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/1975/civilwar.html I'd go back and see if the rest of it turns up nearby.




I'd really like to see that half

 

[Mainedigger]

Looks like a match...great job Ken!!!!

 

[KirkTN]

I do believe Ken nailed it.

 

[Epiphany]

ok, based on pic, my guess is some type of chess piece, HH, craig...

 

[SemoPreacher]

Congrats Ken.........email me your mailing addy and I will get that Half Dollar coming your way, I am so pleased to be able to see what that little soldier went on, it really made my day. Now, all i have to do is go find the whole set, thanks agin, Jack..aka...semopreacher WOW !!!