Jump to content

Civil War I.D. Disk


double canister
 Share

Recommended Posts

double canister

Pards,

Throughout recorded history, one of a combat soldier's worst fears was the inability to have his body properly identified should he be killed. During the American Civil War, soldiers facing impending doom often sewed pieces of cloth bearing their names, units, hometowns, etc. to the inside of their jackets. Some wore their vital information carved onto objects fashioned from wood or lead around their necks suspended by string or small chain. When soldiers become painfully aware that the rebellion was to last far longer than initially presumed, they sought a better solution.

To meet such a demand, sutlers often sold an identification disk --- the grandfather of the military dog tag. The small disk was made of stamped brass with a martial design on the obverse and a blank reverse. It was slightly bigger than a modern quarter, and the blank side could be stamped with the soldier's information. Such disks became quite popular, especially in the Eastern Theatre.

Here is an example of such. It was worn by Martin W. Preston, a nineteen year old corporal serving in Co. B, 6th New Hampshire Infantry. Preston fell with many of his comrades on August 29, 1862 at the Second Battle of Bull Run.

On that day, the "Bully Sixth" was advancing in line against Gen. T.J. Jackson's troops lying covered by woods. The regiment to their left (2nd Maryland) fell back in disarray, leaving the 6th exposed to both flanking and frontal fire. The 6th NH was cut down by withering fire and sustained 210 casualties. Young Martin was one of them.

 

Mark Warren

http://iamilitarycollectors.freeforums.net

post-75788-0-28333600-1388174125.jpg post-75788-0-12364200-1388174137.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice piece! All too often, people tend to forget that the dog tag really had it's origin in the Civil War. They were always private purchase, typically obtained from the camp sutler, and I have also seen these in period advertisements.

 

What I find most intriguing is that there are a number of these that have come from New Hampshire. In the past year, I have seen 3 come from the 15th New Hampshire alone - all being "right as rain". It's one of those anomalies in collecting I suppose.

 

Though I collected Civil War for around 20 years, I have never really pulled the trigger on one of these. I think it might be time to renew my search.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

USCapturephotos

Very nice piece! All too often, people tend to forget that the dog tag really had it's origin in the Civil War. They were always private purchase, typically obtained from the camp sutler, and I have also seen these in period advertisements.

 

What I find most intriguing is that there are a number of these that have come from New Hampshire. In the past year, I have seen 3 come from the 15th New Hampshire alone - all being "right as rain". It's one of those anomalies in collecting I suppose.

 

Though I collected Civil War for around 20 years, I have never really pulled the trigger on one of these. I think it might be time to renew my search.

 

I've also noticed a preponderance of discs relating to Vermont Brigade Regiments. I relic hunted for many years and my most treasured piece is the id disc of a young 6th Corps soldier from the 93rd Pennsylvania Inf. Regt. that Ifound 20 years ago just outside of Berryville, Va. in a camp of the 6th Corps.

I'll take some pics and post later.

I love these! Thanks for sharing yours.

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
USCapturephotos

Finally here are the pictures of one of my most treasured pieces, the id disc of Franklin M. Lebo, Co. G (and H) 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 6th Corps. I dug this disc 20 years ago this past fall in the 6th Corps camps outside of Berryville, Va. Through a great chain of events, a signed cdv of Lebo was located in a collection in Pennsylvania which I was able to trade for. Notice his veterans stripes which gives us a good clue as to when the photo was taken and the disc hanging from his coat. Also look closely and you can see the scar on his left cheek where he was hit at the Battle of Williamsburg. I have his pension records and they clearly state where all of his wounds were and his facial wound is described.

Enjoy!

Paul

post-100030-0-90096200-1389456189.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

USCapturephotos

Thanks Beast! I really enjoyed learning about Mr. Lebo. A buddy of mine went and visited his grave in Erie, Pa. I still need to get there someday.

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice piece! All too often, people tend to forget that the dog tag really had it's origin in the Civil War. They were always private purchase, typically obtained from the camp sutler, and I have also seen these in period advertisements.

 

What I find most intriguing is that there are a number of these that have come from New Hampshire. In the past year, I have seen 3 come from the 15th New Hampshire alone - all being "right as rain". It's one of those anomalies in collecting I suppose.

 

Though I collected Civil War for around 20 years, I have never really pulled the trigger on one of these. I think it might be time to renew my search.

 

For the number of 15th NH disks, could their manufacture and wear have been a unit policy? Just an example of forward thinking in the Union Army at the time?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

USCapturephotos

Hey Mark and other members. Why does this thread have a grey dot by it? Is it because I posted the pics of Lebo's disc on your thread about Preston's disc?

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 years later...
Dustoffoneseven

I am a distant relative of Martin Preston. In my search, I found this excerpt from the book "History of the Sixth New Hampshire Regiment in the War for the Union" by Lyman Jackman. On page 91,

 

" Firing to the End. Corporal M.W. Preston of Company B, was wounded in the thigh, the ball cutting an artery. He knew that he must die, but he kept on loading and firing. Corporal Talbot tied a handkerchief about the limb so as to stop the flow of blood somewhat, but as the enemy had flanked our left, Talbot was obliged to leave the wounded man as he was requested by him to do, and the last the boys saw of the plucky Preston, he was firing his last charge at the advancing foe."

He had 3 brothers who also served during the US Civil War:

 

John Earl Preston, Private, Co. H, 15th New Hampshire Volunteers

Nelson Sylvanus Preston, also a Corporal in Co B, 6th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry

Marcellus Ezra Preston. Co I. 112th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...