A hard to find Confederate ladder/shield badge! This badge was worn by S.W. Ragsdale of the 12th Mississippi Cavalry, Company A and the 16th Confederate Cavalry, Company A. The badge has two ladders with a shield attached. On the first ladder is "Co. A", On the second ladder is "16" Conf.". On the shield are the words "CAV - S.W. Ragsdle". Between the words are a set of crossed sabers and a Confederate battle flag. The unit fought in Forrest Cavalry Corp from February 1865 until May 1865.
The 12th Mississippi Cavalry Regiment (also called 16th Confederate Cavalry) was organized in Gainesville, AL during the summer of 1863. Many of the officers and men were members of the Mississippi state forces and some were from Louisiana. They fought in various conflicts in Mississippi and Alabama, including Selma. Many were captured at Selma, but the unit was included in the surrender of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Lousiana. The field officers were Colonel C.G. Armistead, Lieutenant Colonel Phillip B. Spence, and Major William Yerger, Jr.
The 12th Mississippi Cavalry Captain D.H. Williams' Independent Cavalry Company was assigned to Col. C.G. Armisteads Regiment of Cavalry on April 18, 1864 and became Company A of that regiment.
Assignments:
Armistead's Cavalry Brigade, District of Central and North Alabama, Dept of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. (Aug-Sept1864)
Armistead's Cavalry Brigade, District of Central Alabama, Dept of Alabama, Mississippi and E. Louisiana. (Sept. 1864-March 1865)
Armistead's Cavalry Brigade, District of Alabama, Dept. of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana (March - May 1865)
Armstrong's Brigade, Chalmer's Division, Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Dept. of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana [detachment] (February-May 1865)
A very nice, unusual pinback with a likeness of General U.S. Grant on a canteen. Written on the pinback is "1861 - 5 - 13th A.C.". The 13th A.C. is surrounded by blue and a gold color border. The pinback is approximately 1 1/4 inches wide. The pinback was manufactured by S. N. Meyer, Washington, DC as noted by the manufacturer sticker on the back of the pinback.
The XIII Corps, along with the XIV Corps, were both put into commission on October 24, 1862 with the passing of General Orders No. 168. These two corps were the first corps created in the Western Theater. While the XIV Corps constituted all forces under the command of William S. Rosecrans, the XIII Corps likewise constituted all the forces under Ulysses S. Grant.
Because of the corps' immense size and the fact that it was virtually synonymous with the Army of the Tennessee, Grant chose to subdivide the corps into the Right, Left and Center wings. In December 1862 it was officially divided into the XIII Corps, XV Corps, XVI Corps and XVII Corps. Grant remained in command of the Army of the Tennessee and John A. McClernand assumed command of the XIII Corps. Before the official order was passed along to all the wing commanders, William T. Sherman, commander of the Right Wing, embarked on an expedition against Vicksburg. Sherman's wing of the XIII Corps fought the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou on December 26–29. Although the official date which the Right Wing was designated the XV Corps was December 22, most of the reports regarding the battle at Chickasaw Bluffs still refer to the Union forces as part of the XIII Corps. No matter the designation, it was the first time many of the troops had been under fire.
Arkansas Post
Adding to the identity crisis the XIII Corps faced in its early years was John A. McClernand's expedition against Fort Hindman at Arkansas Post. McClernand was given his XIII Corps and Sherman's XV Corps (now officially using that designation). McClernand labeled these forces the Army of the Mississippi and renamed the XIII Corps "I Corps" and the XV Corps "II Corps". McClernand commanded the Army and placed General George W. Morgan in command of the I Corps (former XIII Corps). The divisions of Andrew J. Smith and Peter J. Osterhaus participated in the battle. Only Stephen Burbridge's brigade of Smith's division bore any heavy fighting.
Vicksburg
With the impending campaign against Vicksburg, Grant took personal command of the operation. McClernand returned to corps command and the Army of the Mississippi was merged back into the Army of the Tennessee and the XIII Corps took on its official title. As the Vicksburg campaign opened the XIII Corps was composed of the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Divisions commanded respectively by Osterhaus, A. J. Smith, Alvin P. Hovey, Leonard F. Ross and Eugene A. Carr. Ross' division was stationed in Arkansas during the entire campaign and did not participate in any engagements with the rest of the corps. In July, this division (now led by Frederick Salomon) fought at the Battle of Helena as part of the District of Eastern Arkansas under Benjamin M. Prentiss.
The Battle of Port Gibson was fought by the XIII Corps, with the aid of a portion of the XVII Corps. McClernand did not bring the full force of the corps to bear at the Battle of Champion Hill but Hovey's division led the attack on the Confederate right. Immediately following the victory at Champion's Hill the Battle of Big Black River Bridge was again fought exclusively by the XIII Corps, Carr's division bearing the brunt of the fight.
When Grant initiated siege operations the XIII Corps took up a position on the Union left. During the assaults on Vicksburg the XIII Corps lost nearly 1,500 soldiers.
McClernand had been a long time thorn in Grant's side and on June 19, Grant found an opportunity to remove him from command. His replacement was Edward O. C. Ord, a friend of Grant's who had just recovered from a wound sustained in 1862. Ord led the corps throughout the rest of the siege. After Vicksburg fell, William T. Sherman led an expedition back to Jackson, Mississippi to clear the city of Confederates which had gathered there. Sherman took with him the XIII Corps and attached to it the division under Jacob G. Lauman from the XVI Corps. General Carr, who temporarily left the army due to sickness, had been replaced in division command by William P. Benton.
Texas and Louisiana
After the fall of Jackson the corps returned to Vicksburg and then transferred to the Department of the Gulf. The District of Eastern Arkansas had been detached from the Corps; AJ Smith had been reassigned to command a post in Tennessee; Osterhaus had been reassigned to command a division in the XV Corps; Hovey took leave of the army due to the death of his wife; two of the divisions in the field were consolidated under the command of Cadwallader C. Washburn; and General Herron's division was attached.
General Banks used the XIII Corps to conduct his coastal campaign against Texas during the fall of 1863, capturing Brownsville. By February 1864 corps headquarters were in Texas and General McClernand had returned to command.
Red River
The 1st and 2nd Divisions remained in Texas but Nathaniel P. Banks took with him the 3rd and 4th Divisions during the Red River Campaign. During the first part of the campaign the corps was commanded by Thomas E. G. Ransom, the 3rd Division by General Robert A. Cameron and the 4th Division by Colonel William J. Landram. The corps fought at the Battle of Mansfield. Ransom was wounded at Mansfield and was succeeded in command of the corps by General Cameron. A few weeks later Michael K. Lawler of the 1st Division in Texas became the official corps commander. General McClernand however assumed direct command of the two divisions fighting in Louisiana under Banks. McClernand was relieved of command due to ill health and Lawler himself personally commanded this detachment. Shortly after William P. Benton was assigned to the corps command but Lawler remained in command of the detachment in Louisiana. Lawler led the XIII Corps Detachment at the Battle of Mansura.
Mobile
The corps was discontinued on June 11, 1864. On February 18, 1865 it was reorganized under the command of Gordon Granger with three divisions commanded respectively by James C. Veatch, Christopher C. Andrews and William P. Benton. This new form of the XIII Corps fought in the Battle of Fort Blakely which led to the fall of the city of Mobile, Alabama. The corps was discontinued for the final time July 20, 1865.
The men of the XIII Corps were never designated an official corps badge and therefore never wore any form of a corps badge during the war.
28 New Jersey Infantry 1902 Point Pleasant,NJ Reunion Badge
Item #: 15308
Click image to enlarge
SOLD!!!
A very attractive reunion badge from the 1902 Union veterans reunion of the 28th New Jersey Infantry held in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The badge has a beautiful yellow ribbon with gold type metal fringe attached to the bottom of the badge. A really neat celluloid round drop is attached in the middle of the badge. A Second Corp symbol is in the middle of the celluloid drop. Written around the Second Corp symbol is written "16th Annual Reunion Point Pleasant N.J. - Sept, 1902 - 28". Written in silver ink on the yellow ribbon is "1st Brigade - 3rd Division - 2nd Corps - Veterans' Ass'n - 28th Regiment N.J. Volunteers". The badge was made by the Whitehead & Hoag Company, Newark, New Jersey as noted by the manufacturer makers card which is attached to the back of the badge. The badge is in very nice condition.
28th New Jersey
The 28th New Jersey Infantry Regiment lost 51 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 31 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War.
1862
Organized at Freehold
September 15
Mustered in
October 2
Left State for Washington, D.C. attached to Attached to Provisional Brigade, Casey’s Division, Defenses of Washington
11 New Hampshire Infantry 50th Anniversary Reunion Badge
Item #: 15015
Click image to enlarge
SOLD!!! Offered is a great badge worn by members of the 11th New Hampshire Infantry at their 50th reunion held in 1912. The hanger is a brass type metal with a celluloid filler. On the celluloid strip is a 9th Corp badge and "11th N.H.V.". A blue ribbon is suspended from the hanger. Written on the ribbon is "Anniversary Reunion 11th N.H.V. - Sept. 1862 - 1912". A metal and celluloid drop is attached to the ribbon. A likeness of Colonel/Brevet Brigadier General Walter Harriman is in the center of the drop. The town of Harriman, Tennessee is named after the General.
11th New Hampshire
The 11th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment lost 5 officers and 140 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 1 officer and 151 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War.
Offered is a great badge worn by naval veterans of the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia ( Merrimac) at the 50th anniversary of their battle in 1862. This badge was worn by a member of the reception committee at the reunion. The badge has a heavy hanger and drop. The ribbon is a blue and gray color. Written on the hanger is "RECEPTION COMMITTEE". The beautiful drop has an eagle on a U.S. shield. On the left side of the shield is the likeness of William Howard Taft - President and on the right side is the likeness of Capt. John Ericsson - Inventor. A likeness of the "Monitor" is underneath Taft and Ericsson. The dates "1862 - 1912" is underneath the "Monitor". Written on the back of the drop is "Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Battle between the MONITOR and MERRIMAC - Mar. 9th - 1862 - 1912". There are two ribbons behind the drop. The first or top ribbon has been creased by the heavy drop.
Offered is a wonderful celluloid drop worn by the members of Forrest Cavalry at various reunions. The drop has the likeness of Genral Nathan Bedford Forrest on the front. On the back of the drop is a draped Confederate battle flag and a drape to the left side. Written on the drop is "A Soldier of Gen'l Forrest". The drop is approximately 2 1/8 inches wide. It was made by the Whitehead & Hoag Company, Newark, New Jersey as noted on the side of the drop.
Offered is a great badge worn by John N. Plunkett of the 7th Illinois Infantry and the 114th Illinois Infantry. The hanger has "J.N. Plunkett" written on it. Attached to the hanger is a shield. Written on the shield is "Co. E. 7th ILL. INF. - Co. F - 114th ILL. INF.". John N. Plunkett enlisted in the 7th Illinois Infantry in August, 1862. He was mustered in the 114th Illinois Infantry in September, 1862. He was discharged on September 3, 1864.
114th Illinois Infantry
Organized at Camp Butler, Ill., and mustered in September 18, 1862. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., November 8-16, 1862. Attached to the 5th Brigade, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Memphis, 13th Army Corps, to December, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 8th Division, 16th Army Corps, to April, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, to December, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1864. 1st Brigade, Sturgis' Expedition, June, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. Pontoneers 16th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to August, 1865.
SERVICE - Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign. "Tallahatchie March" November 26 - December 12, 1862. Moved to Jackson, Tenn., December 23, and duty there till February 9, 1863. Expedition to Wyatt's, Miss., February 9-18. Guard duty on Memphis & Charleston R. R. till March 17. Moved to Young's Point, La., March 17 - April 2. Operations against Vicksburg April 2 - July 4. At Ducksport, La., till May 2. Movement to Jackson, Miss., via Grand Gulf, May 2-14. Mississippi Springs May 13. Jackson May 14. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18 - July 4. Assault on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Expedition to Mechanicsburg May 26 - June 4. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Birdsong Ferry, Big Black River, July 4-6. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Brandon Station July 19. At Vicksburg till September 3, and at Oak Ridge till October 14. Expedition toward Canton October 14-20. Bogue Chitto Creek October 17. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., November 20-26. Expedition to Tallahatchie River February 5-19, 1864. Coldwater Ferry February 8. Near Senatobia February 8-9. Wyatt's, Tallahatchie River, February 13. Provost duty at Memphis, Tenn., till June. Sturgis' Expedition from Memphis to Ripley, Miss., April 30 - May 9. Sturgis' Expedition to Guntown, Miss., June 1-13. Battle of Brice's Cross Roads (or Tishamingo Creek), near Guntown, June 10. Ripley June 11. Davis' Mills June 12. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21. Camargo's Cross Roads, near Harrisburg, July 13. Harrisburg, near Tupelo, July 14-15. Old Town (or Tishamingo Creek) July 15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Tallahatchie River August 7-9. Abbeville August 23. Moved to Duvall's Bluff, Ark., September 2. March through Arkansas and Missouri in pursuit of Price September 24 - November 16. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., November 24-30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Eastport, Miss., and duty there till February, 1865. Moved to New Orleans, La.; thence to Dauphin Island, Ala., February 9 - March 3. Campaign against Mobile and its defenses March 3 - April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26 - April 9. Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. March to Montgomery, Ala., April 13-24. and duty there till July. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., July 17.
Mustered out August 3 and discharged August 15, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 45 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 159 Enlisted men by disease. Total 210.
A neat badge worn by a veteran of Company L, 11th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. The hanger has "CO. L: written on it. THe drop is in the shape of the Seventh Corps badge. Written on the drop is "11" ILL. VOL. CAV.". The pin is still attached but the pin hook is no longer attached.
11th Illinois Cavalry
Robert G. Ingersoll, of Peoria, and Basile D. Meeks, of Woodford county, obtained permission to raise a Regiment of Cavalry, and recruiting commenced in October 1861. The Regiment was recruited from the counties of Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Stark, Knox, Henderson and Warren.
Recruits commenced going into camp at Camp Lyon, Peoria, about Nov. 1, 1861. Twelve full companies were recruited and mustered into the United States service by Capt. C.B. Watson, of the Fourteenth U.S. Infantry, mustering officer, on Dec. 20, 1861, when they were mounted. They remained at Camp Lyon until Feb. 22, 1862, when they broke camp and marched to Benton Barracks, Mo., where they arrived March 3, and were shortly after armed with revolvers and sabres, one Battalion receiving carbines.
On March 25 the first Battalion, under Maj. Puterbaugh, embarked on a boat, and on the 26th the remainder of the Regiment followed.
The First Battalion landed at Crump's Landing, Tennessee River, April 1, and joined the forces of Gen. Lew. Wallace. The remainder of the Regiment landed the same day at Pittsburg Landing, and camped about two miles from there. On the 4th were out a short distance on a scout, and their first experience under fire was when the fighting commenced on the 6th. Early on the morning of the 6th the Regiment lost several men in killed and wounded; among the killed was First Lieut. Richard Burns, of Company F.
On the morning of the 7th Second Lieut. Aquilla J. Davis, of Company H, was wounded and the Regiment met with a severe loss in killed and wounded.
The Regiment was on duty between Pittsburg Landing and Corinth up to the capture of Corinth, and was in the celebrated raid in the rear of Corinth when the railroad track was torn up at Purdie.
It was in Tennessee and North Mississippi; was in the fight at Bolivar, Tenn., and met with a severe loss in a fight at Davis Bridge, on the Hatchie River.
It was also in the 3 days' fight at Corinth and Iuka, in Oct. 1862. The winter of '62 and '63 the Regiment was stationed at Jackson, Tenn., and met Forrest's advance at Lexington on Dec. 18, '62. In this engagement Col. R.G. Ingersoll, Maj. Kerr, Capt. Shepard, Capt. O'Harra, Lieut. Wagoner, Lieut. Cornell, and Lieut. Slater were captured. The loss in killed and wounded was severe and about 100 men were taken prisoners; the officers and men were paroled by Gen. Forrest the next day. The remainder of the Regiment was in the fight the next day, Dec. 19, at Jackson, the 20th at Humboldt, the 31st at Parker's Cross Roads, and followed Forrest to the Tennessee River at Clifton. The Regiment at this time was reduced to less than 300 effective men, and 200 horses, fit for service. It moved from Jackson to Grand Junction, Tenn., and was stationed along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, making numerous raids into the country south, and again met with severe loss in killed, wounded and prisoners at Hudsonville, Miss., on June 21, '63, in an engagement with Gen. Chalmer's cavalry. A great many sick, disabled, and paroled, having been exchanged, returned to the Regiment, and it was in a little better condition when ordered, Sept. 17, '63, to Memphis. From there it embarked on boats and reached Vicksburg, Miss., Sept. 24. The next day moved to Messenger's Ford, on the Big Black River, and was engaged in scouting. In Oct. '63, took part in the expedition under Gen. McPherson to Canton, Miss.; had a great many skirmishes with the rebels on Big Black River. Took part in the march of Gen. Sherman to Meridian, Miss., in Feb. and March '64, in which it captured one piece of artillery, which was brought to Springfield, Ill., when the Regiment returned on Veteran furlough. Most of the Regiment re-enlisted as Veterans for three years, and were mustered in as such, Dec. 20, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss., by Lieut. W.C.G. Hide, Fifty-third Ill. Infantry.
The Regiment left Vicksburg about the last of March for home, on a Veteran furlough of 30 days and again returned to Vicksburg, Miss.; were engaged in scouting through the spring and summer, destroyed the R.R. track north of Jackson, Miss., for a long distance and burned all bridges of any size. At this time, they were with Gen. Osburn, and were in the fight at Yazoo City, in July 1864, where they co-operated with Elliot's Marine Brigade to relieve Col. Coats, with the Eleventh Infantry, who was besieged in that city by the rebels under Gen. Wirt Adams. Late in the fall of '64 the Regiment left Vicksburg on boats, and landed at a point on the east bank of the river, 50 miles below. Marched first in an easterly direction, and by a circuitous route reached Natchez, where the Brigade embarked on boats, and landing a few miles above Baton Rouge, marched rapidly east and north. Engaged in a fight at Woodville, La., in which a Battery of 6 guns was captured and about 100 prisoners. Marched to Mississippi River with guns and prisoners, and from there to Natchez, then embarked on boats and landed at Vicksburg, and a short time afterward left in boats for Memphis, Tenn. Here the non-Veterans and most of the officers were mustered out. During the winter, the Regiment was absent in Arkansas on one trip of 20 days; on returning took part in raid from Memphis, January 1865, by way of Grand Junction south, destroying the R.R. and had a sharp fight at Egypt Station, losing several in killed and wounded; then continued south; reaching Vicksburg, returned by boat to Memphis, and soon moved out along the line of the Memphis and Charleston R.R. between Memphis and Grand Junction, with Headquarters at Lagrange, where it remained until ordered to Memphis to be mustered out. On September 30, 1865, was mustered out, and started for Springfield, Ill., October 2, where it was paid and discharged about October 20.
Company G was detached from the Regiment in the summer of 1862, and never rejoined them. Of the original officers of the Regiment who were mustered in at Camp Lyon, only six remained on the rolls when the Regiment was mustered out, as follows:
Col. Otto Funk, mustered in as Capt. Company A. Lieut. Col. Aquilla J. Davis, mustered in as 2d Lieut. Company H. Major Philip E. Elliot, mustered in as 1st Lieut. Company E. Major Theophilus Schearer, mustered in as 2d Lieut. Company A. Surgeon Robert F. Stratton, mustered in as Asst. Surgeon. Capt. John H. McFarland, mustered in as 2d Lieut. Company K. Capt. McFarland was sick when mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., was not able to be moved, and died two days after.
SOLD!!! Offered is a hard to find Confederate shield badge drop. The drop is in the shape of a shield. Written on the drop is "CO. C - Aberdeen - 2' MISS. VOL. INF. - C.S.A. - War 1861 - 5". A Confederate battle flag is on the bottom of the drop. This unit was a super hard fighting regiment in the Army of Northern Virginia. Confederate ladder and shield badges are getting very hard to find. Don't miss this one.
2nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment
1861
April 30
Finished organization at Corinth, Mississip
May 3
Elected Colonel William C. Falkner, Lieutenant Colonel Bartley Barry Boone, Major David W. Humphreys, and Adjutant Lawson B. Hovis
May 5-10
Moved by rail to Lynchburg, Virginia in two sections, Companies A,C,D,F & I under Lt. Colonel Boone and Companies B,E,G,H & K under Colonel Falkner.
May 10
Camped at Camp Walker outside Lynchburg and mustered into Confederate States service for one year.
Marched to Winchester, then moved by rail to Harpers Ferry. Camped on Bolivar Heights.
May 23
The Inspector General reported that the regiment was not happy with its flintlock smoothbore muskets, had a "slovenly and unsoldierlike appearance," and had "come away from home without making proper preparation" for "almost every necesssity of clothing."
June 15
Withdrew from Harpers Ferry with Johnston's Army to Camp Johnston, near Winchester.
June 16
Moved to Bunker Hill and camped on Mill Creek.
June 18
Moved on the Valley Pike to Camp Bee at Winchester. Colonel Falkner was put in command of a brigade consisting of the regiment, the 11th Mississippi, the 4th Alabama and the 1st Tennessee.
June19
General Bernard Bee took command of the brigade. Colonel Falkner returned to command of the regiment.
June 28-29
Moved by rail to Harpers Ferry. At Harpers Ferry the regiment burned railroad cars on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, then marched to Hallstown. It then returned by rail to Winchester.
July 2-3
Moved to Darkesville in an overnight march.
July 7
Returned to Winchester.
July 18
Ordered to support Beauregard at Manassas. The sick were left at Winchester and the regiment marched through Ashby's Gap to Piedmont, where with two companies of the 11th Mississippi, and Generals Johnston and Bee it boarded a train for Manassas.
July 20
Arrived at Manassas about noon. The regiment was put in a suporting position behind McLean's and Blackburn's Fords on Bull Run.
July 21
Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)
The regiment was sent to reinforce the endangered left flank. It arrived at the scene of the fighting around 11, crossing Young's Branch and forming a defensive line that was supported by two batteries. Under heavy small arms and artillery fire that mortally wounded General Bee, the regiment fell back with heavy losses and reformed behind Jackson's Brigade. It then joined Jackson in the attack on the Union batteries. Major Whiting gave the 2nd Mississippi credit for the capture of Rickett's Federal Battery. The regiment lost 25 men killed, and 82 men wounded. Colonel Falkner and Sergeant Major John Blair were wounded, and Lieutenant Colonel Bartley Boone was captured.
July 23
Moved to Camp Bee near Manassas Junction.
July 25
Moved to Camp Jones near Bristoe Station.
September 18
Moved to Camp Fisher near Dumfries.
September 25
Assigned to the Third Brigade of the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac commanded by General William Whiting.
Winter
The regiment went into winter camp with the Eleventh Mississippi at Dumfires.
1862
January 31
Lt. Colonel Boone resigned due to ill health,
March 8
Moved to Fredericksburg.
April 21
At Yorktown. The regiment reorganized and renenlisted for the duration of the war. Captain John M. Stone narrowly defeated Colonel Falkner for election to colonel. Major David W. Humphreys was elected to lieutenant colonel and Sergeant Major John Blair was elected major.
May 10
At Richmond
May 31-June 1
Battle of Seven Pines
The regiment was only lightly engaged, but Lieutenant D.H. Miller was killed.
mid-June
Sent with Whiting's Division to temporarily reinforce Jackson's Army of the Valley. Colonel Evander Law commanded the brigade while Whiting commanded the division.
June 18
Reached Strasburg
end of June
Returned to the Richmond area
June 26
Battle of Mechanicsville
Marched from Ashland and rebuilt the bridge over the Totopotomoy but was ordered to bivouac and never joined the battle.
June 27
Cold Harbor (Gaines' Farm)
Advanced through wood and swamps for an hour with Whiting's Division, then charged and routed the Federal defenders, the division capturing 14 artillery pieces and the better part of a regiment. The regiment lost 21 men killed and 79 wounded.
June 28-30
In reserve and not engaged.
July 1
Battle of Malvern Hill
The regiment lost 1 man killed and 10 wounded from artillery fire without firing a shot in return.
General Whiting on medical leave. Brigadier General John B. Hood took over command of the division.
August 22
Moved to Freeman's Ford on the Rappahannock.
August 28
Moved through Thorofare Gap
August 29
Second Battle of Manassas
The regiment was on the left of the division line when it was attacked at sunset. The division counterattacked, and Law's Brigade captured three Federal colors and a piece of artillery. The regiment "became entangled" with the 33rd New York of King's Division until the 1st Texas moved up in relief.
August 30
Second Battle of Manassas (day 2)
Advanced to Groveton, then attacked a Federal battery by Hogan's House. In the two days of fighting at Manassas the regiment lost 9 men killed, including Captain George Latham and Lieutenant William Ralston, and 69 men wounded.
September
Maryland Campaign
September 4
Crossed the Potomac River into Maryland and camped near Frederick.
September 14
Battle of South Mountain
Marched from Hagerstown to Turner's Gap along the National Road, arriving around 3 p.m. Launched a bayonet attack to turn back Federal troops who were forcing the pass.
September 15
Withdrew to a position behind Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg. Hood's Division acted as the rearguard for the army.
September 16
Positioned near the Dunker Church. Threw back an enemy advance at dusk.
Attacked at dawn by Hooker's Federal First Corps, Hood's Division counterattacked in the cornfield. The regiment drove back the 6th Wisconsin and nearly captured six guns of a Federal battery that had been abandoned by their crews. The 2nd Mississippi lost 27 men killed and 127 wounded. The wounded included Colonel Stone, Lt. Colonel Humphreys and Major Blair. Lieutenant William C. Moody took command as the highest ranking unwounded officer.
On the evening of the 16th, Law's Brigade advanced from the fields in front of the Dunkard Church to a position in the East Woods, on either side of the Smoketown Road, where it supported the skirmishers of Wofford's Brigade in resisting the advance of Seymour's Brigade.
The engagement ceased at dark. At 10 P. M. the Brigade was relieved by Trimble's Brigade of Ewell's Division, and withdrawn to the woods west of the Dunkard Church."
From the second brigade tablet:
September 17, 1862
Law's Brigade advanced from the woods at the Dunkard Church at 7 A.M. and relieved Trimble's Brigade across the Smoketown Road south of this point. Gradually gaining ground to the left, its center on the open ground and its right in the East Woods, it assisted in repulsing the advance of Ricketts' Division, First Corps. Supported on the right by the 21st Georgia of Trimble's Brigade and the 5th Texas of Wofford's Brigade, it advanced to the northeast corner of Miller's Cornfield and the woods adjacent, from which it was dislodged by the advance of the Twelfth Corps. It withdrew to the fields south of the Dunkard Church and was not again engaged.
September 19
Recrossed the river to Virginia
November 17
Moved to Richmond to join Davis' Mississippi Brigade.
December 15
Arrived at Goldsboro, North Carolina
1863
February 2
Moved to Blackwater Bridge, Virginia
April 8
To Suffolk. Attached to Longstreet's command for the Siege of Suffolk
June 3
Moved to Fredericksburg and attached to Archer's Brigade of Heth's Division in the newly created Third Corps.
June 15
Began the march for the Shenandoah Valley which led to Pennsylvania.
The regiment was commanded by Colonel John M. Stone and was in the second brigade in the line of march to move toward Gettysburg. They ran into Federal cavalry northwest of town and deployed into line of battle, slowly pushing forward until encountering Union infantry. Colonel Stone was wounded crossing a fence along the Chambersburg Pike and Lieutenant A.K. Roberts was killed trying to capture the flag of the 56th Pennsylvania. A Federal gun and limber was captured on the Chambersburg Pike. Every field officer but two became a casualty and Major Blair took command.
The regiment again moved forward in a flank attack, part of it advancing throught the Railroad Cut that paralleled the Chambersburg Turnpike. But Federal troops charged the Cut and enfiladed the regiment. There was a vicious fight for the regiment's colors. All of the color guard were killed or wounded, the colors themselves pierced a dozen times and the flagstaff hit and splintered. The flag was finally taken from Color Corporal William Murphy, who was in the process of ripping the flag from the shattered staff.
The fighting briefly ended as Major Blair handed his sword to Lt. Colonel Rufus Dawes of the 6th Wisconsin and surrendered 7 officers and 225 men of the 2nd Mississippi.
Later in the day a detachment of the regiment under Lieutenant A.K. Roberts captured the colors of the 149th Pennsylvania south of the Chambersburg Pike. Roberts was killed. Private Henry McPherson, who had taken the Federal colors back to the safety of the Confederate lines amid heavy Federal fire, turned down the offer of a promotion to take the place of Lieutenant Roberts, choosing instead a furlough.
The badly battered and reduced regiment spent the day in reserve, collecting discarded weapons from the battlefield. Men of the 2nd who had been detached as wagon guards arrived at the end of the day, boosting the depleted numbers.
Sixty survivors of the regiment took part in Pickett's Charge, led by Lt. Colonel Humphreys. Only one man made it back from the charge unwounded.
The official casualties for the regiment at Gettysburg list 56 men killed and 176 wounded, No mention is made of the large number of men captured at the Railroad Cut on July 1. Colonel Stone was wounded but would resume command of the regiment. Lt. Colonel Humphreys was killed, and Major Blair was captured. Captain John Buchanan was wounded and captured and Lieutenant Moody, who had commanded the regiment at Sharpsburg when all higher ranking officers had become casualties, was wounded in the leg and captured on July 3.
Major Blair, still a prisoner, was promoted to lieutenant colonel effective July 3 and Captain Buchanan of Company B, also still a prisoner, to major
July 6
Williamsport
Reached the Potomac to find that high water made the fords unusable. A defensive line was set up incorporating the wagoners, the sick and lightly wounded, which held off the probing Unon cavalry. Three men were wounded, one mortally, and two capured.
July 14
Falling Waters
Heth's Division served as rear guard at the Potomac ford, with the 2nd Mississippi anchoring the right flank of the line. Federal cavalry attacked the rear guard as the last Confederates were crossing the river to safety. The regiment lost two men killed, six men wounded, two of whom were captured, and twelve unwounded men were captured. The 2nd Mississippi thus took part in the opening and closing fights of the Gettysburg campaign, losing 85 to 90 percent of its strength.
October
Bristoe Station
The regiment lost 8 men killed, 38 wounded and 2 missing.
November-December
Mine Run Campaign
December
Wintered in camp near Orange Court House
1864
March
Lieutenant Colonel Blair and Major Buchanan were exchanged and returned to the regiment.
May
General Davis was absent on sick leave as Grant opened the 1864 campaign. Colonel Stone took command of the brigade as senior colonel, and Captain J.H. Buchanan commanded the regiment. (Captain Thomas Crawford is also reported as commanding the regiment during the battle.)
May-June
The Overland Campaign
In the month of fighting betwen the Wilderness and Cold Harbor the 2nd Mississippi would lose 24 men killed and 107 wounded.
Moved up the Orange Plank Road to meet Federal forces moving through the wilderness. The regiment was on the left of Heth's Division, north of the Plank Road, and held off a series of attacks by Hancock's Federal Second Corps. The brigade was relieved at dusk by Thomas' Brigade of Wilcox's Division and moved south of the Plank Road.
The Federal pre-dawn attack broke the Confederate line and swept away most of the rest of Heth's Division, but the 2nd, 11th, 29th and 42nd Mississippi held the line for two hours until Longstreet's reinforcements reached the battlefield and launched a counterattack. The brigade reformed and attacked when Longstreet was wounded and his attack stalled. It pushed back Federals threatening an Alabama brigade, then built and defended a log barricade until withdrawn to Lee's defensive line.
May 7
The brigade remained on the battlefield to bury the dead while Lee moved to Spotsylvania.
Stationed on the far left of the Confederate line near Bethesda Church.
June 1864-
April 1865
Siege of Petersburg
June 3-18
The regiment remained north of the James River with the rest of the Third Corps until Lee established that Grant really had shifted his entire army to Petersburg.
August 18
Weldon Railroad (Ream's Station)
Marched three miles in intense heat to counterattack Federal forces that had seized the vital railroad line. The brigade formed on the west side of the railroad and attacked southward, driving two lines of Federals until reaching the main enemy line which badly outnumbered the Confederates and was reinforced with artillery. The Confederates broke off the attack and dug in. Major Buchanan was wounded in the hand.
August 19
Weldon Railroad (Globe Tavern)
Davis' Brigade attacked what was thought to be weakened Federal defenses but were thrown back, leaving the Federals in posession of the Weldon Railroad. The regiment lost 5 men killed and 31 wounded in the two day battle. Lt. Colonel Blair, Major J.H. Buchanan and Lieutenant Story were wounded.
September 13
Captain Walker was killed by a sharpshooter while he, Colonel Stone and General Lee were inspecting the lines.
September
A.I.P. Varin of the 2nd Mississippi writes in his diary,“…the enemy frequently shoot very large shells into Petersburg & do some damage to buildings, but the people are getting used to it, so they don’t mind them….” The quote is used on the 'Dictator' wayside marker in the Petersburg battlefield park.
October 1
Fort Bratton
October 3
Squirrel Level Road (Jones' Farm)
In a raging downpour Heth launched a number of uncoordinated attacks against what he mistakenly thought was a hanging Federal flank. The attacks were beaten back by the well entrenched Federals, and the regiment lost 3 men killed, 25 wounded and 2 missing.
October 27
Hatcher's Run (Burgess' Mill)
The regiment helped turn back a flanking attack that attempted to seize Boydton Plank Road, losing 2 men killed.
Winter
The regiment wintered in the trenches six miles outside Petersburg.
1865
January 8
Colonel Stone left for Mississippi with a small detail to recruit and to return absentees to the regiment. Lt. Colonel Blair took command of the regiment.
Stone would not return to Virginia. He made it back as far as Salisbury, North Carolina when Stoneman's Federal cavalry raided the city. Stone organized his recruits and the local self defense forces in its defence but was outnuumbered, surrounded and captured.
January 16
Major Buchanan resigned to assume his duties as sherriff of Tippah County.
February 5-7
Hatcher's Run
Lt. Colonel Blair was captured. Captain William P. Harvey of Company K was the last remaining captain in the regiment and took command.
February
Several companies of the regiment were consolidated over the winter due to their badly reduced numbers. The strength of the 2nd Mississippi was probably about 150 men.
March 25
Fort Stedman
Supported Gordon's attack on the fort with a demonstration at Hawks' Farm
April 2
Hatcher's Run
The Confederate defensive line collapsed after the defeat at Five Forks. The 2nd Mississippi, commanded by Lt. Colonel Blair, was positioned near Burgess' Mill near Hatcher's Run. The regiment was trapped between the Union breakthrough and the Run, which was swollen by heavy rains and impassible. Most of the regiment was taken prisoner on the bank of Hatcher's Run, although a few men attempted the swim. Before the 97 (or 99) survivors of the regiment surrendered, Private Nathaniel M. Bynum (one of five Bynum brothers in Company A) tore the colors from their staff and hid them under his coat.
April 9
Appomattox Court House
Surgeon James Holt, Quartermaster Sergeant J.M. Cayce and 18 enlisted men surrendered with Lee, probably all men on detached duties from the regiment
Offered is a ladder badge worn by a veteran of the 95th Illinois Infantry. This is a five piece badge. Written on the four ladders of the badge are "Co. H., 95, Illinois, Vol. Inf.". A tassel is attached to the last bar on the badge.
Ninety-fifth Infantry. — Cols., Lawrence S. Church, Thomas W. Humphrey, Leander Blanden; Lieut. -Cols., Thomas W. Humphrey, Leander Blanden, William Avery; Majs., Leander Blanden, William Avery, Charles B. Loop. This regiment was organized at Camp Fuller, Rockford, and was mustered into the U. S. service Sept. 4, 1862. It was recruited from the counties of McHenry and Boone, three companies from the latter and seven from the former. It moved from camp on Nov. 4, proceeded via Cairo and Columbus to Jackson, Tenn., and afterward to Grand Junction, where it was assigned to Gen. McArthur's division, Army of the Tennessee. It held an important position in its brigade during the charge of May 19 on the works at Vicksburg and lost in the engagement 7 killed and 54 wounded. During the assault of May 22 it gained an advanced position on the crest of the ridge near the enemy's works and encountered one of the most sweeping and destructive fires to which troops were ever exposed. The total loss to the regiment in these two charges, was 25 killed, 124 wounded and 10 missing. It was engaged in the capture of Fort De Russy and in the battles of Old River, Cloutierville, Mansura, Yellow bayou and all the movements of the Red River expedition, fighting a portion of the time in the battle of Yellow bayou under one of the severest fires of artillery it ever experienced in a field fight. It was in the thickest of the fray at Guntown and fought with undaunted bravery. Finally both flanks of the regiment were turned by overpowering numbers of the enemy and it was obliged to fall back or suffer entire capture. In this engagement the 95th was nearly annihilated and on this account it was given a few weeks' rest on its return to Memphis. It took part in the battle of Nashville and in the pursuit of Hood's defeated army to the Tennessee river. During the summer of 1864 a detachment of the regiment, 100 men, participated in the battles of Kennesaw mountain, Chattahoochee river, Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station.
1903 Michigan at the GAR National Encampment - San Francisco - Badge
Item #: 15115
Click image to enlarge
SOLD!!!
A very nice badge worn by Union veterans from the state of Michigan attending the 1903 Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment held in San Francisco, California. The hanger has "MICHIGAN" and "Organized May 6 1868" written on it. A red ribbon is attached to the hanger. Written on the red ribbon in gold type ink is "San Francisco - 1903.". The drop is attached to the ribbon. The Michigan state coat of arms is in the center of the disk. Written around the coat of arms is "Department of Michigan - G.A.R.". Written on the back of the drop is "37th National Encampment G.A.R. - San Francisco". A very nice, clean badge.
Offered is a nice badge worn by Michigan Union veterans at the 1904 Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment held in Boston, Massachusetts. The hanger is has "MICHIGAN" and "Organized May 6, 1868" written on it. Attached to the hanger is a red ribbon. Written on the ribbon is gold type ink is "Boston 1904". The drop is attached to the ribbon. On the front of the drop is the Michigan state coat of arms. Written around the coat of arms is "Department of Michigan - G.A.R.". Written on the back of the drop is "38th National Encampment G.A.R. - BOSTON".
Offered is a great identified shield - ladder badge worn by Wisconsin veteran George F. Peckham of Company C, 11th Wisconsin Infantry. Peckham was with the 11th Wisconsin from September 1861 until the end of the war. The badge is a two piece shield badge. The hanger has "G.F. Peckham" stamped in it. The shield has "Co. C - 11th Wis. Vol. Inf. 61 - 65" stamped on it. A canteen is stamped between the "61" and "65". The back is stamped with two St. Louis, Missouri makers. The pin is attached and this is a nice, clean badge.
11th Wisconsin Infantry
Regimental History
Eleventh Infantry. — Col., Charles L. Harris; Lieut. -Cols., Charles A. Wood, Luther H. Whittlesey; Majs., Arthur Piatt, Jesse S. Miller, Otis Remick. This regiment was organized at Camp Randall, Madison, and was mustered in Oct. 18, 1862, with a numerical strength of 1,029. It left the state Nov. 20, and performed railroad guard duty until spring, when it was sent further south. It was in a skirmish with the enemy at Bayou Cache, Ark., and was then on duty along the river until the spring of 1863, when it was sent to take part in the siege of Vicksburg. The regiment took part in the battle of Port Gibson and received a special compliment from Col. Stone, brigade commander, for its splendid work. It was engaged at Champion's hill, and at the Big Black river, led the charge which carried the enemy's works, and captured several hundred prisoners. At Vicksburg its loss was heavy, the regiment occupying open ground which was swept by Confederate bullets. Several months were then spent in arduous though uneventful campaigning, but the regiment received Maj.-Gen. Dana's compliments in an order "for the perfection of instruction discovered in picket and guard lines." Over three-fourths of the 11th reenlisted as a veteran organization and after a brief visit home it was sent on an invasion of western Tennessee and northern Mississippi, engaging Forrest's cavalry en route. It was given outpost duty at Brashear City, Co. D being detached to Bayou Louis and Co. E to Tigerville. Continued skirmishes with Confederate cavalry, as well as scattered bodies of infantry, prevented the massing of Confederate troops, and the smuggling trade was broken up. At Fort Blakely, Ala., its last engagement, the regiment held the record of 4 years by conspicuous work, being among the first to plant its colors on the enemy's parapet in the face of a murderous fire. It was mustered out at Mobile Sept. 4, 1865. Its original strength was 1,029. Gain by recruits 364; substitutes, 62; drafts, 147; veteran reenlistments, 363; total 1,965. Losses by death, 348; desertion, 25; transfer, 9; discharge, 31 ; mustered out, 1,264.
Footnotes: Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 4
Offered is a great ladder badge worn by a veteran of Company B, 31st Wisconsin Infantry. The badge has five parts, four bars and a tassel. Written on the ladders is "CO. B', "31", "WISCONSIN", and "VOL. INF.". This is a clean, nice badge.
31st Wisconsin Infantry
Regimental History
Thirty-first Infantry. — Cols., Isaac E. Messmore, Francis H. West, George D. Rogers; Lieut. -Cols., Francis H. West, George D. Rogers; Majs., John Clowney, William J. Gibson, George D. Rogers, R. B. Stephenson, Farlin Q. Ball. This regiment was organized at Prairie du Chien in Aug., 1862, when six companies were recruited. It was ordered to Camp Utley, Racine, on Nov. 14, where the remaining companies were recruited, and the regiment was mustered in, Oct. 9. It left the state March 1, 1863, for Columbus, Ky., and was assigned to the 6th division, 16th corps. It remained there on picket, provost and reconnoissance duty during the spring and summer and was ordered to Murfreesboro in October. Cos. B, G and K were detached and stationed at Stone's river in guard and fortification work until April, 1864. The regiment was assigned to the 4th division, 20th corps, and divided into detachments for patrolling the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad, one detachment being mounted for dashes into the interior. The regiment was ordered to Nashville in June for provost guard duty, remaining there until July 3, when it was transferred to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 20th corps, joining the brigade on the 21st before Atlanta and remaining in the siege until Aug. 25. It took a position on the Chattahoochee river until the evacuation of Atlanta and was then on guard and forage duty until it joined the march to the sea. When within 10 miles of Savannah, accompanied by part of another regiment, it passed through a seemingly impassable swamp, charged the enemy in two redoubts commanding the road, and in the face of a severe fire carried the works. It accompanied the army in the campaign of the Carolinas, performing well its part in destroying railroads, building corduroy roads and foraging. At the battle of Averasboro it was in the front line under heavy fire from noon until dark. At Bentonville it held an exposed position at the front and was attacked in front and on both flanks simultaneously. It was thrown back, but reformed behind a rail fence, where it was speedily reinforced and withstood five determined charges, inflicting terrible punishment upon the enemy. This closed its active service. It participated in the grand review at Washington. Cos. A, B, C, D, E and F, were mustered out at Louisville June 20, 1865, and the remaining companies on July 15. The original strength of the regiment was 878. It gained by recruits, 200; total, 1,078. Loss by death, 114; missing, 2; desertion, 52; transfer 33; discharge, 167; mustered out, 710.
A neat and hard to find Vicksburg monument badge. his great badge was worn by Iowa veterans at the Iowa monument dedication at Vicksburg Military Park. The hanger is beautiful unto itself! It is a large, heavy hanger with the coat of arms of Iowa on it. Written around the coat of arms is "The State of Iowa". A large blue ribbon is attached. Written on the ribbon is gold type ink is "Dedication of Iowa Monuments Vicksburg, Miss. Nov. 15th, 1906.". An United States flag is sewn on the ribbon above the writting. Gold fringe is attached to the bottom of the ribbon.
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Antietam