Classic, domestically-produced Confederate cartridge box with the name “W.F. Hodge Co B 18 Reg SC” carved into its outer flap.  The box originated from an old collection and is accompanied by a mid-century typewritten display card reading “Confederate Cartridge Box from the Baker Place, Winchester Battlefield. Belonged to W.F. Hodge Co. B 1st SC.” The writer of the card clearly misread the “18” of the inscription as “1,” as there is no W.F. Hodge listed on the rolls of the 1st South Carolina Infantry.  "Baker Place" mentioned on the card is undoubtedly referring to the home of Josiah Baker located along Berryville Pike in Winchester, which was built in 1846 and demolished in 1969.
Excellent overall condition for its age, complete with tins, cast pewter finial, and a partial shoulder belt.
W.F. Hodge enlisted as a private in Company B, 18th South Carolina Infantry on February 1st, 1862.  Rolls show that he was severely wounded in the ankle at 2nd Bull Run, suffering a “compound fracture,” and removed to a Culpepper, VA hospital but returned to his company between November and December the following year.  He was absent/sick in a Charleston, SC hospital beginning on Feb. 22nd, 1864 but returned again by that September.
 The regiment saw some early service in South Carolina before joining the 1st Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia in July, 1862, fighting at 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, and Antietam. In November 1862 the regiment returned for service in the Department of North Carolina and South Virginia, and later the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, before again joining the ANV in October, 1864.  Upon its return to Virginia, the 18th SC was engaged at Bermuda Hundred and Petersburg, being directly in caught in the mine explosion at the battle of the Crater, and was later engaged at Saylor’s Creek.  The regiment was surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse with 16 officers and 139 enlisted men remaining.
[Civil War, Union, Confederate]