This thing is about 2.25" across the base, 2.5" high, and has an "X" in the circular arch, a "D" at the bottom of the arch on the right side, and the word "REED" at the bottom of the arch on the left side. You can clearly make out the month "JUNE" but the numbers to the right of JUNE are hard to read. It looks like it could be "20 21" or "71"? It is cast iron from what I can tell. My hunting buddy found this in a battery position occupied both by Rebs and Yanks at Vicksburg, MS, in an area rarely visited by humans because it is very inaccessible except by hunters or relic hunters (no roads in there). We found some general service yank buttons, minnie balls and other verifiable relics of the War Between the States, but this thingy is purposeful and has the name "REED", so we are wondering if this could pertain to Confederate Artillery? May a sighting implement? Thanks!
Sorry the photos aren't better; this is the best my camera and I can do-I've tried a bunch!
Sorry the photos aren't better; this is the best my camera and I can do-I've tried a bunch!