![[organ]](catalogue/organsm.jpg)
141. Corps badges. What are corps badges? The idea of corps badges had its origin with Gen. Philip Kearney before his death, September 1, 1862. The first application of the badge was known as the Kearney Patch, and was intended to be used by the officers only. In general orders, issued September 4, 1862, by Gen. D. R. Birney, announcing the death of General Kearny, and also ordered the continued wearing of the Kearny Patch in honor of Gen. Phil Kearney, to wear a distinguishing badge extended widely from this simple beginning. Other Divisions of the army had begun to adopt some kind of a badge. On March 21, 1863, Gen. Joseph Hooker, then in command of the Army of the Potomac, promulgated a scheme of army corps badges for the purpose of ready recognition of corps, divisions and brigades of the army, and to prevent injustice by reports of straggling and misconduct through mistake as to their organization. On May 12, 1863, at Falmouth, Va., General Hooker again issued an order showing that the orders issued on March 21, 1863, were not to be a dead letter, and that the badge worn by the troops when lost or torn off must be immediately replaced. Provost marshals will arrest as stragglers, all other troops found without badges, and return them to their commands, under guard.
There were twenty-five (25) army corps in the service at different times exclusive of cavalry, engineers and signal corps. The same cause which operated to reduce brigades and divisions naturally decimated corps, so that some of the corps were consolidated, as for example, the first and third corps were merged in the second, fifth and sixth corps in the spring of 1864, at about the same time the eleventh and twelfth corps were united to form the twentieth corps.
The formation of army corps was designed by Gen. Joseph Hooker in 1863 to carry out the plan of the three first divisions, to take the National colors, red, white and blue, respectively, and to still carry out the three rules. Each corps was to have three divisions, each division to have three brigades, each brigade to have three regiments. The color of the first division red, the second white and the third blue. Pratt's light division of the sixth corps was green. The fourth division of the ninth corps was green.
Following is a description of each army corps badge as used by the Union army from 1861 to 1865:
The First Corps.
A Sphere--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division. Adopted by Gen.
Jos. Hooker, March 21, 1863.
The Second Corps.
A Trefoil--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division. Adopted by
Gen. Jos. Hooker, March 21, 1863.
The Third Corps.
A Lozenge--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division. Adopted by
Gen. Jos. Hooker, March 21, 1863.
The Fourth Corps.
An Equilateral Triangle--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division.
Was adopted by Gen. George H. Thomas in General Order No. 62, Dept. of the Cumberland, April 26, 1864.
The Fifth Corps.
A Maltese Cross--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division. Adopted by
Gen. Jos. Hooker, March 21, 1863.
The Sixth Corps.
A Cross--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division. Adopted by Gen.
Joseph Hooker, March 21, 1863.
The Seventh Corps.
A Crescent encircling a Star--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third
Division. Adopted by Gen. J. J. Reynolds in General Orders, Dept. of Arkansas, June 1, 1865.
The Eighth Corps.
A Six-Pointed Star--No date of its adoption.
The Ninth Corps.
A Shield with the figure Nine in the center, crossed with a Foul Anchor and Cannon--Red for
First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division and green for Fourth Division.
Was adopted by General Burnside in General Orders No. 6, April 10, 1864. This corps had four divisions.
The Tenth Corps.
A Four-Bastioned Fort--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division,
was adopted by Gen. D. B. Berney in General Orders No. 18, July 25, 1864.
The Eleventh Corps.
A Crescent--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division, was
adopted by Gen. Joseph Hooker, March 21, 1863.
The Twelfth Corps.
A Star--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division, was adopted by
Gen. Joseph Hooker, March 21, 1863.
The Thirteenth Corps.
This Corps did not have a badge.
The Fourteenth Corps.
An Acorn--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division, was adopted by
General Orders No. 62, Department of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga, April 26, 1864.
The Fifteenth Corps.
A Miniature Cartridge Box, 40 Rounds--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for
Third Division and yellow for Fourth Division, was adopted by Gen. John A. Logan in General
Orders No. 10, February 14, 1865. This Corps had four divisions.
The Sixteenth Corps.
A Circle with Four Minie Balls, Points Toward the Center Cut Out of the Circle--Was designed by
Gen. John Hough and approved by Gen. A. J. Smith.
The Seventeenth Corps.
An Arrow--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division, was adopted by
Gen. Frank P. Blair in General Orders issued at Goldsboro, N.C., March 25, 1865.
The Eighteenth Corps.
A Cross with Equi-foliate Arms--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for
Third Division, was adopted by Gen. W. F. Smith in circular issued June 7, 1864; also
modified by Gen. E. O. C. Ord. in General Orders No. 108, August 25, 1864, as to size of badge.
The Ninteenth Corps.
A Fan-Leafed Cross with an Octagonal Center--Red for First Division, white for Second Division,
blue for Third Division, was adopted by Gen. Emory in General Ordrs No. 11, November 17, 1864.
The Twentieth Corps.
A Five-Pointed Star--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division.
No date of its adoption.
The Twenty-first Corps.
Never adopted a badge.
The Twenty-second Corps.
A Circle Opening into Five Parts and having a Circle in the Center--Red for First Division,
white for Second Division, blue for Third Division, was adopted by order of General Auger.
This Corps served in the defence of Washington, D.C.
The Twenty-third Corps.
A Shield--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division. Was adopted
without General Orders.
The Twenty-fourth Corps.
A Heart--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division, was adopted
by Gen. John Gibbon in General Orders No. 32, before Richmond, Va., March 18, 1865.
The Twenty-fifth Corps.
The Square--Red for First Division, white for Second Division, blue for Third Division, was
adopted by General Weitzel in General Orders in the field before Richmond, Va., February 20, 1865.
This Corps was composed of Colored troops.
H. V. C.--Hancock's Veteran Corps.
A Circle Surrounded by a Wreath of Laurel. Wide Red Band Passes Vertically Through the Circle
from the Wreath, radiates rays in such a manner as to form a Heptagon with Concave Sides.
Seven hands spring from the Wreath, each grasping a Spear, whose heads point the several
angles of the Heptagon. The badge adopted originated with Col. C. H. Morgan, Hancock's
chief-of-staff. Was approved by Gen. W. S. Hancock in the fall of 1864.
S. C.--Sheridan's Cavalry Corps.
A Gold Crossed Sabres on a Blue Field, Surrounded by a Glory in Silver. Was adopted by
General Sheridan. Date unknown.
W. C.--Wilson's Cavalry Corps.
A Carbine from which was suspended, by chains, a Red Swallow-tailed Guidon, bearing Gilt
Crossed Sabres. Was adopted by General Wilson in 1864.
A. S. C.--Army Signal Corps.
Two Flags, crossed on the Staff of a Flaming Torch.
E. P. C.--Engineer and Pontonier Corps.
Two Oars, crossed over an Anchor, the top of which is encircled by a Scroll, surmounted by a
Castle, the Castle being the badge of the U.S. Engineers. As a fact, however, this fine body
of men wore only the Castle designed in brass.
A. W. Va.-l-Army of West Virginia.
A Spread Eagle. Was adopted January 3, 1865, by General Crook, commanding the Department of West Virginia.
Same as N37!
P. C.--Pioneer Corps.
Crossed Hatchets, the color of the Division to which they belonged.
The Corps badges were made by Casius M. Lea, late Co. G, 87th Regt., Pa. Vol. Infantry, and
presented by him to Capt. Thos. Espy Memorial Room.
142. Poem. This poem was composed by Miss Josie S. Sholes, and was read by her at dedication of Soldiers' monument in Chartiers Cemetery, July 21, 1888. Printed and framed by Joseph Carlisle, Co. I, 112th Regt., Pa. Vet. Vols. Presented to Capt. Thos. Espy Memorial Room by Joseph Carlisle, September 13, 1909.
Print of poem; black wood frame; inscription on back; 16 1/4" x 9 1/2". Location: F wall by widow to left of cabinet.
143. Jeff Davis' bond. A photograph copy of the bail bond given by Jefferson Davis, late President of the Confederate States, on May 13, 1867. Secured in Richmond, Va., October 21, 1909, by W. H. H. Lea, late Lieutenant Co. I, 112th Regt., Pa. Vet. Vols., while attending the dedication of a monument to his Regiment on the battlefield of Cold Harbor, Va., and presented to Capt. Thos. Espy Post, 153, G.A.R., Memorial Room, November 22, 1909.
Paper document has some minor water stain in the lower right corner; frame in good shape; backing in good shape, but should be replaced. Good condition. Location: Section C, top of display case.
144. Poem. "America's Sons, Brave and True, Follow Their Flag and Our Country's Flag Bearers," composed by Nathaniel Carter Deane, late Company D, 21st Mass. Vol. Infantry. Presented to Capt. Thos. Espy Memorial Room, October, 1909.
Poem by Nathaniel Carter Deane, Sept. 14th, 1909; gold plaster frame; 9 1/2" x 11 1/2"; glass intact. Fair condition. Location: Wall F to right of cabinet.
145. Edwin M'Masters Stanton. Born 1814, died 1869. The great war secretary of the Civil War from 1862 to 1868, was nominated by General Grant as Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, but died soon afterward. This picture was the property of Christian Steel, late Co. H, 78th Regt., Pa. Vol. Inft. After his death, in March, 1910, his wife presented same to Capt. Thos. Espy Memorial Room.
Picture of seated Stanton, right arm on back of chair; matted in wood frame, 32" x 26". Location: F wall above organ.
146. Block of pine wood. This block of pine wood was cut from one of the original posts forming the stockade enclosing the Andersonville Prison Pen. Was cut by J. T. Bickell, late Co. D, 39th Ind. Vol. Inft., a member of Capt. Thos. Espy Post, 153, G.A.R., and at the present time keeper of the Andersonville National Cemetery. Was cut from the post in July, 1910, and was given to his son, Charles Bickell, who was on a visit to his father at this time, to be turned over to Capt. Thos. Espy Memorial Room, July, 1910.
MISSING!
147. Organ. Was presented to Capt. Thos. Espy Post, 153, G.A.R., Memorial Room by the First Presbyterian Church of Carnegie, Pa., for use in our Hall and on Memorial Days.
Ornate wood casing; approximately 6' high by 4' high; 2' deep; "Loring & Blake, Palace Organ"; manufacturers carpeted pedals; ball and claw adjustable screw stool. Good condition. Location: F wall.
148. Cartridge box. Was issued March 14, 1865, to James Harvey Robb, Company K, 49th Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inft. Was carried by him during his term of service, and has been in his possession 45 years. Presented to memorial Hall by him, July, 1910.
MISSING!
149. Bible. Presented to John S. Armburst, Co. I, 11th Pa. Vet. Vol. Inft., at the time of his enlistment, August 28, 1861, by his father, Jacob Armburst, at Greensburg, Pa. Was in his knapsack when wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, Va. Has been in his possession 48 years. Presented by him to Memorial Hall, 1909.
MISSING!
150. Cane. Was secured by Wm. England, Co. E, 9th Regt., Pa. Reserve Vol. Inft., while attending the dedication of the Penna. Soldiers' Memorial at Gettysburg, September, 1910. Was cut from Culp's Hill. Was presented by him to Memorial Hall, October, 1910.
Stamped "Culp's Hill -- Gettysburg Pa"; L-shaped grip. 9th Pa veteran. Excellent condition. Location: Section A, Case 1. See image at entry number 118.
Return to the table of contents for the Annotated Catalogue.
Table of Contents.
Return to the home page for the Thomas Espy Post Website. Home Page.
© Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved