Identified 1st Regiment Virginia Volunteers Cross-Belt-Plate
By Shannon Pritchard · Originally published June 2019 · p. 9
Identified 1st Regiment Virginia Volunteers Cross-Belt-Plate By Shannon Pritchard In 1851, the Virginia legislature made an attempt at forming regiments of volunteers but made little headway. The earliest regiment was the First Regiment Virginia Volunteers, organized on May 1, 1851. The 1st Regt. Va. Vols. was made up of men from the old militia system companies, including the Richmond Howitzers, Montgomery Guard, Richmond Light Infantry Blues, Virginia Rifles, Richmond Grays, and the Fayette Artillery. These pre-War units were composed of the flower of Virginia’s aristocracy. The 1st fought in all the major battles of the Army of Northern Virginia from 1st Manassas to Five Forks. The regiment saw its last day as a unit at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek.
This particular plate was worn by John W. Burnett. I have known his descendants my whole life, having gone to school with them. Having no heirs, the plate was sold to me in March 2019. John Burnett is buried here in Hanover County on the family farm. John Burnett was a 21 year old gun maker and a member of the Richmond City Guard when he enlisted in the newly formed 1st Regiment Virginia Volunteers on April 21, 1861. John’s skill as a gun maker was recognized and he was placed on detached service to the Confederate Ordnance Department on July 29th, where he contributed his talents for the remainder of the War. The plate the regiment wore is made of sand cast brass. The letters on the face were cast in, but were then chased by an engraver. Afterwards the letters were filled with a black substance similar to dried pitch to accentuate the letters against the brass background. The pin affixed to the plate’s back was intended to pass through the white web bayonet and cartridge box belts that crossed at the wearer’s breast and held them in place. Shannon Pritchard has authored numerous articles relating to the authentication, care and conservation of Confederate antiques, including several cover articles and is the author of the definitive work on Confederate collectibles, the widely acclaimed Collecting the Confederacy, Artifacts and Antiques from the War Between the States, and is co-author of Confederate Faces in Color.
