

Figure 6i 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, INFANTRY, I8I4-I.S2I 



USNM 60248-M QS-K 6). Figure 62. 



This specimen is of the same design as the 1814 

 Infantry cap plate, type I (p. 15). It is oval, with 

 raised edge. Within the oval is an eagle with an 

 olive branch in its beak, three arrows in its right 

 talon, and thunder bolts and lightning in its left 

 talon. Below is a trophy of stacked muskets, drum, 

 flag, and shield. The plate is silver on copper, with 

 sheet-iron backing and bent-wire fasteners. As in 

 the case of the Artillery Corps plate, just preceding, 

 this must be considered an officer's plate. A similar 

 oval plate bearing the design of the 1812 dragoon 

 cap plate, and of similar construction, is known. 



SHOULDER-BELT PLATE, I8I4 



USNM 6647 S-M. Figures 63, 64. 



Excavated on the site of Smith's Cantonment at 

 Sackets Harbor, Xew York, this plate is interesting 

 in that it differs in both construction and method of 



Figure 62 



attachment from similar plates of the same period 

 in the national collections. Rather than being 

 struck in thin brass with a backing and fasteners 

 applied to the reverse, this specimen is cast in brass 

 and the edges rather unevenly beveled, with two 

 studs and a narrow tongue for attachment cast inte- 

 grally with the plate and with hexagonal heads forced 

 over the ends of the studs. This means of attach- 

 ment, which indicates that the plate was intended 

 to be utilitarian as well as merely ornamental, is 

 similar to that on British plates of the period between 

 the Revolution and the War of 1812. The plate 

 could have been worn by either infantry or artillery, 

 for both were issued brass plates during this period,*" 

 however, it is more probable that it was worn by the 

 infantry, since the majority of the artillery in the 

 .Sackets Harbor area were stationed nearby at either 

 Fort Pike or Fort Tomkins. 



"" Letters from Irvine in Records .\GO: To Colonel Bogar- 

 dus, February 16, 1814: to James Calhoun, January 14, 1815. 



35 



