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Message:: [QUOTE="lordmarcovan, post: 3127982, member: 10461"]... The bits of glass are from a broken jar that had once contained all of the buttons.  Our homeowner does not know it (and neither can we confirm it) but this strongbox he found was almost certainly the paychest of a Confederate regiment, from quite early in the war- likely no later than the year 1861. Maybe even a little bit before the war, when Fort Sumter had not yet been fired upon and enthusiasm ran high in the new Confederate States.  It was a time when elite military units were formed by wealthy men who wanted to wear a fancy uniform and be called "Colonel", and who were willing  to pay for that prestige by equipping these units at their own personal expense. It was a time when such elite units might still have had specie (gold and silver coin) in their treasuries, instead of just paper Confederate notes. The homeowner lifts the last remainder of the heaps of sodden currency from the box, and sees seven glass 1858 patent Mason jars underneath.  Six and a half, really, since one of the jars is broken.  There were originally eight jars.  One held the uniform buttons, and got completely shattered by the time it was found.  The other seven (six still intact and one broken open) were nestled amongst the stacks of paper currency. As soon as the homeowner sees the intact jars, he inhales with a short gasp.  For though he can't see well through the darkened, dirty glass of the jars, enough light shines through to be reflected back with a breathtaking sight... more items sparkling with the gleam of gold!  Jars full! He believes for a moment that the jars contain more gilt uniform buttons.  But as soon as he sees the spilled contents of the broken jar, he realizes this is not the case.  He is not looking at more buttons.  No, not at all. ...[/QUOTE]

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