Bidspirit auction | EXCAVATED CANNONBALL, FOUND AT SPOTSYLVANIA

EXCAVATED CANNONBALL, FOUND AT SPOTSYLVANIA BATTLEFIELD - Fantastic excavated cannonball, approx. 4.5 in. dia., found at the Battle of Spotsylvania - the second major battle in Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's 1864 Overland Campaign of the American Civil War. The iron cannonball bears a hand-painted marking in white, badly faded yet reading in part: 'Found in Union Army [lines?]...6th Corps, Spotsylvania...' In relic condition. The VI Corps was then led by Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, who famously taunted 'they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!' during the battle... minutes before being shot through the head by a Confederate sharpshooter and dying instantly.