Black leather 2″ wide flag belt with a large single-tine brass buckle worn by Civil War soldier Ben Hunter, who carried the flag of the 79th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A large section (approximately 1 x 1.5) of the strap is missing where it was struck by a bullet at the Battle of Averasborough, North Carolina, on March 16, 1865. In very good condition, with overall brittleness to leather and a professional repair to a tear next to the area it was struck. Accompanied by a handwritten descriptive note, dated at Olney, Illinois, June 25, 1883, in full: “Presented by William M. Mann by order of Colonel Asria Doan of Wilmington, Ohio. The old Flag Collar which I carried from the Battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, July 19th, 1864, to the Battle of Averysboro, North Carolina, March 16th, 1865. Have not seen this collar till June 25, 1883.” The opposite side reads, “Flag Belt used by Ben Hunter of Cuba 79 O. V. I. in Battle of Averysboro, N. Carolina, March 16th, 1865. The bullet that went through this belt passed through his body. Hunter is still living. Wm. Doan.” Also includes copies of Hunter’s war records listing him as a ‘Color Bearer’ and surgeon’s report identifying the location of his wound as his right breast, precisely where this strap would have fallen.
