Rare Identified Confederate Soldier's Militaria: Early 19th-Century Domed Brass Cross Belt Plate & Pre-Civil War Fife – 26th North Carolina Infantry
Offered here is a remarkable pair of historic military artifacts, both emerging from the same North Carolina estate and tied to Confederate soldier Joseph H. Hall, a musician in the 26th North Carolina Infantry Regimental Band. The grouping consists of an early American domed brass cross belt plate and a finely crafted wooden fife—two pieces that span over half a century of American military heritage.
The cross belt plate is of a rare early American militia type, dating to around 1812. Constructed from domed brass, the plate features two “puppy paw” brass studs on the reverse, along with a fastening hook typical of early 19th-century American design. On the back is a worn but partially legible label that reads Hall 26th.
Though faded from age and wear, this ID corresponds to Joseph H. Hall, who is recorded as a cornet player in the 26th North Carolina Infantry’s Regimental Band, a group largely composed of Moravian musicians from Salem, NC. Such early militia plates were often passed down and worn by descendants during the Civil War, particularly in the South. This plate likely saw use in multiple generations of military service—a rare and compelling lineage.
Accompanying the plate is a high-quality wooden fife, unmarked but superior in craftsmanship compared to standard examples of the period. Based on its construction and design, the fife dates to the Mexican-American War era, further supporting the likelihood that these pieces pre-date the Civil War and were pressed into later Confederate use.
Whether Joseph Hall himself descended from veterans of the War of 1812 or the Mexican War is unknown, but this pairing raises compelling questions about the continuity of service and tradition within Southern families.
Joseph H. Hall’s regiment, the 26th North Carolina Infantry, was among the most battle-hardened and tragic units in the Confederate Army. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the 26th suffered the highest casualty rate of any regiment engaged—687 casualties out of 843 men. Their devastating losses included 172 killed, 443 wounded, and 72 missing or captured. The regiment also saw heavy action at:
New Bern, NC (1862) – 7 killed, 11 wounded, 71 captured
Seven Days Battles (1862) – 6 killed, 40 wounded
Bristoe Station, VA (1863) – 19 killed, 76 wounded, 84 captured
Cold Harbor, VA (1864) – 6 killed, 10 wounded
Petersburg, VA (1865) – 2 wounded, 31 captured
By the time of the surrender at Appomattox in April 1865, only 130 men remained of the once-mighty 26th.
This offering is a rare opportunity to acquire not only two significant pieces of early American and Confederate militaria, but also to hold a direct link to a documented Confederate soldier and the legacy of one of the Civil War’s most storied regiments.
Two pieces, one history. A powerful and evocative addition to any Civil War or early American collection.
Offered here is a remarkable pair of historic military artifacts, both emerging from the same North Carolina estate and tied to Confederate soldier Joseph H. Hall, a musician in the 26th North Carolina Infantry Regimental Band. The grouping consists of an early American domed brass cross belt plate and a finely crafted wooden fife—two pieces that span over half a century of American military heritage.
The cross belt plate is of a rare early American militia type, dating to around 1812. Constructed from domed brass, the plate features two “puppy paw” brass studs on the reverse, along with a fastening hook typical of early 19th-century American design. On the back is a worn but partially legible label that reads Hall 26th.
Though faded from age and wear, this ID corresponds to Joseph H. Hall, who is recorded as a cornet player in the 26th North Carolina Infantry’s Regimental Band, a group largely composed of Moravian musicians from Salem, NC. Such early militia plates were often passed down and worn by descendants during the Civil War, particularly in the South. This plate likely saw use in multiple generations of military service—a rare and compelling lineage.
Accompanying the plate is a high-quality wooden fife, unmarked but superior in craftsmanship compared to standard examples of the period. Based on its construction and design, the fife dates to the Mexican-American War era, further supporting the likelihood that these pieces pre-date the Civil War and were pressed into later Confederate use.
Whether Joseph Hall himself descended from veterans of the War of 1812 or the Mexican War is unknown, but this pairing raises compelling questions about the continuity of service and tradition within Southern families.
Joseph H. Hall’s regiment, the 26th North Carolina Infantry, was among the most battle-hardened and tragic units in the Confederate Army. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the 26th suffered the highest casualty rate of any regiment engaged—687 casualties out of 843 men. Their devastating losses included 172 killed, 443 wounded, and 72 missing or captured. The regiment also saw heavy action at:
New Bern, NC (1862) – 7 killed, 11 wounded, 71 captured
Seven Days Battles (1862) – 6 killed, 40 wounded
Bristoe Station, VA (1863) – 19 killed, 76 wounded, 84 captured
Cold Harbor, VA (1864) – 6 killed, 10 wounded
Petersburg, VA (1865) – 2 wounded, 31 captured
By the time of the surrender at Appomattox in April 1865, only 130 men remained of the once-mighty 26th.
This offering is a rare opportunity to acquire not only two significant pieces of early American and Confederate militaria, but also to hold a direct link to a documented Confederate soldier and the legacy of one of the Civil War’s most storied regiments.
Two pieces, one history. A powerful and evocative addition to any Civil War or early American collection.