#5062 • Civil War Artillery Box-6th Maine Battery-Gettysburg

Part of Fine and Decorative Arts | Day 3 | September 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM (live auction by Alderfer Auction)

High bid $4,000.00

Status: Sold

American Civil War artillery support/tool box for the 6th Maine light artillery battery. Box measures 32" wide x 22" deep x 22.5" high with much of surface in original blue/green paint. Front and rear panels of box present text "6th BATTERY ME. VOL." in black stencil paint. Right side of box presents text "6th Maine Battery" in black calligraphic free-hand black paint. Top of box presents text "6th MAINE BATTERY" in crude free-hand black paint. Underside of box presents text "265 No3" in free-hand black paint. Corners of box are metal bound and box exhibits front opening drop down front that is kept closed by 2 iron hooks. Interior of box presents original paint with 1-drawer, 1-doored compartment and 2 open compartments. All locks were removed from box some time ago and the iron side handles also removed and replaced with rope/wood block attachments. This box was part of the accepted regulation of 6 support boxes that would accompany a Civil War artillery battery in their support wagons. These boxes would contain tools, repair materials, extra parts and other items to support and keep the battery functioning. The 6th Maine Light Artillery Battery was organized in Augusta, Maine and mustered in for three years' service on January 1, 1862. It served throughout the war in the Army of the Potomac at numerous battles including; Battles of Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. During it's war service the battery lost 40 enlisted men (13-killed or mortally wounded and 27 -of disease). For much of the war the battery consisted of 4-Napoleon 12-pound artillery guns. Surface of box exhibits chips, dents and paint loss (particularly to top of box) with some deterioration to one rope handle. Oral history of this box is that it was found in a barn in Searsport, Maine over 35 years ago. **Please Note: This item is NOT eligible for in-house shipping. Please refer to the terms and conditions of this auction for recommended shippers.