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Fort Smith National Historic Sitehigh water in Arkansas River along walking trail
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
Artifact of the Month
Each month the park features an artifact from the collection, not currently on exhibit.

Use the links at the bottom of the page to view previous months.
 
Civil War Buckle
FOSM PHOTOGRAPH
Civil War Buckle
 

SEPTEMBER 2008 ARTIFACT OF THE MONTH


Civil War Buckle

This is  part of a two piece, Confederate, silverplated belt buckle in the shape of a wreath.  Inside of the wreath is a horizontal, rectangular slot for the insertion of the second piece that was circular and had the initials "C.S." or their state letters in block lettering.  This artifact was found on the grounds of Fort Smith National Historic Site.  Confederate troops occupied Fort Smith at the beginning of the Civil War.  Union troops reoccupied Fort Smith in September of 1863 until the end of the Civil War.

 

 
Park staff and volunteers demonstrating using lindstock and slowmatch to ignite the cannon's primer  

Did You Know?
The soldiers who came to Fort Smith in 1817 were still using some 18th century technology and drill. The cannon was discharged using a lindstock and slowmatch to ignite the primer, which originally was loose powder or a turkey quill filled with powder.

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Last Updated: September 13, 2008 at 16:18 EST