Illinois Soldiers?

[Mark Susnis]

What do you make of this post-war copy of a hard image?
Cut down sack coats. The badges look like ones worn by members of Birge's Western Sharpshooters 66th Illinois.

Up for auction is a postwar copy of a wartime hard image or CDV.

The photograph folds so that it can stand alone on a table. It features 6 soldiers with rifles. The photographer is: Blickenstaff Marion Illinois

http://cgi.ebay.com/Illinois-Armed-S...item4cec974fbf


Regards,
Mark Susnis

[CompanyWag]

One soldier managed to make his state-issued shell jacket last;
Four others hacked off their sack coats for that matching sucker-state look;
And one corporal that couldn't be bothered either way.
Classic Illinois image.

I'll let others comment on the badges.

Paul McKee

[ScottCross]

I'll let others comment on the badges.

Paul McKee

They are wearing the "Army of Georgia" veterans badge. I wrote an article about these in The Military Collector and Historian a couple of years ago. The few surviving examples can be traced to men who served in Sherman's Army of Georgia, during the Carolina Campaign. My museum has an example from a veteran of the 21st Wisconsin and Steven Osman has one from another Wisconsin veteran. All the identified images of men wearing these badges, that I have found, were taken at the end of the war and all are being worn by men who sered in the AoG. These were not an authorized badge, but were probably made by some enterprising salesman in DC, about the time of the Grand Review.

From the mat on the image in question, it is probably a copy made in the 1930s-1950s. Hard to say more exactly without a better look.

[ScottCross]

Here is the badge in question:

The top part is a simple stamped metal eagle and originally had a simple pin back. The disk below is a cheap white metal with General Sherman on the obverse, and corps badges of the Army of Georgia on the reverse. This example comes from a private collection here in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, without any provenance.

[ScottCross]

Here is another example from my museum with provenance. Army of Georgia Veteran's pin: Silver plated tin eagle with spread wings; a wire ring at bottom suspends a stamped circular medallion with raised portrait of "MAJ. GEN. W. T. SHERMAN" on obverse and raised images of acorn (14th Army Corps), 5-point star (20th Army Corps), Cartridge box in diamond (15th Army Corps), and arrow (16th Army Corps) on reverse. These four Army Corps were part of Sherman's Army of Georgia that marched with him from Atlanta to Savannah on the Atlantic coast and through the Carolinas. These pins can be seen being worn on the left breast of Sherman's veterans at the end of the Civil War. Not issued by the government.

James F. Sawyer listed his residence as Gibraltar, Door County when he enlisted there on Mar. 28, 1864. He was assigned as a private in Company K, 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and was wounded at Savannah, Georgia. He was transferred as unassigned to the 3rd (reorganized.) Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry on June 8, 1865 and was mustered out on July 18, 1865.

[ScottCross]

Here is an example of one of these badges being worn. Albumen print on carte de visite stock of Sergeant Joseph Trexell, Company B, 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The image is inscribed in front, "Louis Trecksel" (Joseph's younger brother was Lewis Trexell and did not serve in the Civil War). A cancelled 3 cent revenue stamp is on the back.

Full standing view of Sergeant Joseph Trexell. He is wearing a tailor-made fatigue blouse with three exterior pockets. He wears an Army of Georgia veterans' badge on his right breast. He also wears a private purchase military vest with large watch chain. He is leaning his hand on a Gothic Revival style chair.
Joseph Trexell was born about 1842 in Clinton, Wayne County, Ohio. His mother's name was Mary Trexell, but his father's name is unknown and had died prior to 1850. Joseph was living in Oshkosh, Wisconsin when he enlisted in Company B, 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry on August 12, 1862. He had two brothers: Anthony and Richard who also enlisted in Oshkosh in different regiments. Joseph rose through the ranks from Corporal to Sergeant and mustered out on June 8, 1865 at Washington, DC. After the war he moved to Newaygo County, Michigan, homesteaded, married, and had three daughters. He was divorced prior to 1900 and died in Algoma, Kent County, Michigan in July 1926.

[Remember1864]

Mark,

Am I reading your post correctly in that the photographer is "Blickenstaff", and said image maker worked in/had a studio at, "Marion, Illinois"? Based on my somewhat spotty memory, I can add this tidbit. A particular company, "C", of the 31st Illinois Regiment Volunteer Infantry was organized in Marion, Illinois/Williamson County. Wonder if these fellars are from that regiment of note. Btw, they shared close ties with one John A. "Black Jack" Logan.

The 31st was indeed on the "March" with Sherman. The unit was part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Corps, from December 1862 through April 1865.

[10TnVI]

It's interesting that the two examples shown appear to be from different makers. Note the different arrangment of the Corp emblems. The eagle's appear to be identical, but they could have been an already existing product inteneded for supporting medallions such as this.

[ScottCross]

It's interesting that the two examples shown appear to be from different makers. Note the different arrangment of the Corp emblems. The eagle's appear to be identical, but they could have been an already existing product inteneded for supporting medallions such as this.

Leland, I noticed that also, the difference in manfacturing. I wish we could get Stephen Osman on board herefor his example.

Marler, very posibly "Dirty First" (31 st)Illinois, 17th Corps.

So, who's the jerk that out bid all of us?

[W. K. Osman]

Well, had to dig out my badge and images. This one was worn by First Sergeant Aaron Sanders, Co. G, 21st Wisconsin Infantry. He served a full three years and was mustered out in June 1865. (Also have a beautiful hard image of him at enlistment and armed with a Lorenze with bayonet fixed.)




The late war image shows Sergeant Sanders wearing this exact medal. Above it is either a campaign badge that we have with his effects, or the company letter "G", also preserved with the collection. Sanders is the seated sergeant in the center, taken at Point Lookout and accompanied by Sergeant Dewey and Privates Oleson and Ginty from his company.



How about that for a stylish private purchase sack coat!

Stephen