Doubtless One of the Most Remarkable Civil War Bullet Struck Artifacts Extant.... (Total: 3 Items)

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Doubtless One of the Most Remarkable Civil War Bullet Struck Artifacts Extant. A diary, pocket watch and 1851 sword belt plate all struck by the same bullet, which is still attached to the plate. The incident occurred at Petersburg March 25, 1865 when the items were in the possession of Sgt. Francis McMillen Co. C 110th Ohio Inf. Mcmillen was subsequently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for the capture of a Confederate flag at Petersburg April 2, 1865. Also included is a red and white silk with silk fringe piece of the regimental flag carried by McMillen. McMillen mustered into the 110th on October 2, 1862 and mustered out June 25, 1865. During his term of service the regiment was heavily engaged, including The Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Cedar Creek and Petersburg, losing 117 men killed and mortally wounded. The last entry in the diary, on the page dated March 25, 1865, the date of the incident, as well as, ironically his 33d birthday, includes an addendum by McMillen dated June 23, 1911 which states, "This book was in my breast pocket and received the ball which was intended to take my life but thanks to the Book, Watch and belt plate I am still alive" The set is further accompanied by an old typewritten letter by McMillen stating the same history and further stating "the ball passing through the diary in my left breast pocket, then turning downward and lodging on the watch and belt plate....The ball shows where it lodged in the belt plate." This letter also contains the history of the flag piece, still with the original envelope with pencil script notation on the front, "History of Contents of the Box". The standard 1865 folding pocket diary is an important piece in its own right with every page filled with detailed accounts of combat action. It was clearly struck at the back near the spine with the bullet exiting the lower half of the front. The silver watch is engraved with a castle on the front and a sword wielding cavalier on the back. While badly damaged by the strike, and can no longer be opened, the bullet clearly ricocheted on its path toward the buckle. The plate is struck on the upper right corner, with the badly smashed bullet, which appears to be a standard three ring Minie, still in place. The group is presented in a plaque with a copy photograph of McMillen in uniform. Also accompanied by a complete set of records. Doubtless one of the most remarkable Civil War relics in existence.