IV Corps Badge

[Remember1864]

Looking for period examples of this badge. Specifically in and around the time of the Battle of Franklin, TN. (30 NOV 1864) Anyone have any period images, know of museum examples, or own copies of this insignia?

A quick internet search provides this information. The IV Corps, (as part of the Army of the Cumberland), adopted its' triangular badge 26 April 1864.

Online research has turned up nothing. Found one example in Time-Life's "Echoes of Glory, Arms and Equipment of the Union" on page 173. (This one attributed to the 2nd KY Inf.) The only other example I've found is in the "Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia" by Francis Lord. Volume II, page 43 exhibits one small badge but the photograph is of poor quality and of no use.

Sent an inquiry to Luther Hanson at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum at Fort Lee earlier today and am looking forward to his reply.

[Jimmayo]

Re: IV Corps Badge

Civil War Corps Badges and Other Related Awards.......by Stanley Phillips has a picture of a cloth one being worn and two others. Pretty scarce badge.

[64OVI]

Re: IV Corps Badge

Wilbur Hinmans "The Sherman Brigade" regimental history that includes both the 64th & 65th OVI regiments has many images of officers and enlisted men. Page 83 shows Captain William B. Farber of the 64th OVI with a 4th Corps triangle badge over his right breast. Presumably it would be white for the 2nd Div.

Kent Dorr
"Devils Own Mess"

[BCIDick]

Re: IV Corps Badge

Lots of resources for Corps badges on the web. Shapes and colors denoted corps and division, which were red, white and blue for 1st, 2nd and 3rd division respectively, so a white triangle would denote a unit of the 2nd Division, IV Corps. They were commonly worn on top of the forage cap or on the left breast of the sack coat.

Bob Firth

[Mark Susnis]

Re: IV Corps Badge

John,
From the Horse Soldier

Cap of dark blue wool with infantry "I" eagle side buttons. Chinstrap has buckle on both keepers. Visor is of regulation style. The body of the cap shows some wear. Minor scattered mothing on back. Disc has minor mothing in center. In the lower part of the disc is red felt 4th Corps badge outlined in gold dead bullion. A false embroidered "9" is in the center of the badge. 100% of the sweatband and liner remain, and show signs of use.

This cap was accompanied by a period tag with ink inscription, ""Corps Badge 1st Div. 4th Army Corps worn by A.L. Whitehall." Alexander Whitehall was hired as a substitute for his father, Nicholas Whitehall, on 9/26/64. At the time he was 19 years old. Alexander joined Co. F, 9th Indiana at Bridgeport, AL, and was sick in hospital at Nashville 12/17/64. While there he lost his Enfield rifle and accoutrements, and was charged $22.70 by the government. He was discharged from the hospital on 6/21/65. Accompanied by military & pension records.

Mark Susnis

[Remember1864]

Re: IV Corps Badge

Thanks guys. Yeah, I know the particulars of the corps badge system, (colors/shapes/adoption dates), and have found ample info regarding this on the 'net. What the world wide web has failed to show me are "ORIGINAL" examples of this insignia; specifically on period uniforms or images.

To Mark Susnis...thanks brother! That's exactly the kind of documentation I'm looking for. Thanks too for including the service record for A.L. Whitehall as it addresses the time frame I made reference to.