SOLD!!!

A very nice badge worn by a veteran of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry.  The badge has two pieces.  The hanger is a bar with "Wilson Regiment" surrounded by blue enamel.  It is missing some of the enamel between the "N' and the "R".  The drop, in the shape of the Fifth Corps emblem, has red enamel on it for the 1st Division.  A  "Mass. 22 Inf." is in the center of the badge.  Below the "@@" is "3d Batt." and above the "22" is "2d S.S."( for 2nd Sharp Shooters).  The pin on the back is a "T bar" pin.

The 22nd was formed by then Senator Henry Wilson (later Grant's Vice-President) in the Fall of 1861. It was unusual in that there was a sharpshooter unit, the 2nd Andrew's Sharpshooters, and an artillery unit, the 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery, attached to the regiment. This was because Senator Wilson originally started to form a Brigade but, due to an urgent need for troops, he only formed a Regiment.

The regiment was formed in Boston, Massachusetts and established on September 28, 1861 for a term of three years.

Arriving in Washington in October 1861, the regiment spent the following winter in camp at Hall's Hill, Virginia. It became part of the Army of the Potomac, with which it would be associated for its entire term of service. The regiment saw its first action during the Siege of Yorktown in April 1862. It was involved in the Peninsular Campaign, particularly the Battle of Gaines' Mill during which it suffered its worst casualties (numerically) of the war. Their worst casualties in terms of percentages took place during the Battle of Gettysburg (60 percent). The 22nd Massachusetts was present for virtually all of the major battles in which the Army of the Potomac fought, including the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Gettysburg and Lt. Gen. Ulysses Grant's Overland Campaign. The 22nd was especially proficient in skirmish drill and was frequently deployed in that capacity throughout the war.