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     This two piece Confederate enlisted man’s belt and percussion cap pouch belonged to Corporal Timothy Connell.  It is identified to Corporal Connell by his having scratched his full name into the back of the pouch.  I purchased this rig from a gentleman, in Waynesboro, Virginia (located in the Shenandoah Valley) in the spring of 1999.

    The gentleman I bought it from purchased this belt and several other accoutrements in the Valley between 1957 and 1959. 

     The cap box is of course a Confederate imported Enfield pouch.  This is distinguished by its black patent, as the English models are white.  The cap pouch is rare in its own right, but the belt it is on is truly remarkable.  It was obviously made by someone who had experience in the harness industry prior to the war.  This is indicated by the exceedingly high quality belt.  You will first notice the unusual cut of the belt.  It narrows from 41mm at the belt loop to 35mm for the circumference.  You will also readily notice that there is a single tool line border on each outer edge and on the leather belt keepers.  The adjustment buckle is a standard harness type buckle; something the shop would have had in inventory.  The two piece C S buckle is very crude due to the harness maker’s lack of experience in the casting of brass.   The belt and pouch are in excellent condition.  The leather and the stitching are strong and supple throughout.  It has no flaws.   

     Timothy Connell enlisted in Company C, 1^st Battalion Virginia Infantry on June 20, 1861.  He was promoted to 4^th Corporal in November of 1861 and 2^nd Corporal by June of 1862.  Corporal Connell rose fast in rank the first year of the war, but must have reached his limitations, retaining the same rank until the bitter end.  Corporal Connell served the Confederate cause nearly the entire war from June of 1861 until his capture and imprisonment, April 7, 1865.

     Through that four year ordeal, Tim Connell’s experiences were inexorably intertwined with that of Company C.  This is their story.  The Battalion Virginia Infantry was also known as the Irish Battalion.  The Battalion was formed in May of 1861 when Lt. John Heth led 200 Irishmen from Covington, Virginia to Richmond, Virginia “without a single case of drunkenness and without a fight during the trip”.  Before long, they were getting their fill of fighting.  Sent to Western Virginia under General Loring in July, the Battalion was active in the failed Cheat Mountain Campaign.  Their fortunes were about to change however, a little known T. J. Jackson requested their help and during December, Loring marched his men to Winchester, Virginia to join Jackson.

     The Battalion served under Jackson at Romney, Kernstown, McDowell, Front Royal, Winchester, Port Republic, Gaines Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Second Manassas and Sharpsburg.

     The Company spent the winter as Provost Guard at General Jackson’s headquarters at Moss Neck, thus missing the battle of Fredericksburg.  The 1^st once again saw action at Chancellorsville where their beloved Chieftain was shot down.  After Jackson’s death the command, due to their previous experience, was made Provost Guard to the Army of Northern Virginia and served in that capacity for the remainder of the war.

     Corporal Connell served and survived the entire war only to be taken prisoner April 7, 1865 at Farmville, Virginia, just two days before the surrender.  Timothy Connell was sent to Point Lookout prison, Maryland.  No further record has been found.                             

     If you only want one belt, this one has all that you could wish for; it is in perfect condition and was worn by an impeccably identified member of the Stonewall Brigade who served from beginning to end.