Civil War-Era Belt Buckle

1860

Enslavers fled Edisto Island at the beginning of the Civil War, abandoning their “property” including the African Americans they enslaved. Edisto was considered a “Black republic,” due to the number of Black inhabitants coupled with the absence of both white enslavers and Union troops. Enslaved people from beyond Edisto fled to the island to secure freedom. Union troops ultimately established a base camp at Point of Pines plantation. This Union Army belt buckle was excavated from the Point of Pines plantation site and donated to the Museum by the descendants of the enslaving families.