72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

[Remember1864]

Researching this unit with with special attention to their involvement in 1864; specifically at Franklin, TN. (30NOV64) Have seen two textual references to a badge worn by this first regiment of the Chicago Board of Trade. One mentions, "the proprietary star within circle badge worn by members of the 72nd". As of this writing I'm unable to find an image/sketch/pic of this item. Anyone have a source? Also, was this emblem indicative of all companies in the 72nd? Did it see war time wear/use? Officially or otherwise...when was it adopted?

(Anticipating you...Scott Cross...to have beaucoup insight into this one!)

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Mars,
Don't have any real clues about that one. Can't find a corps badge that fits. Possibly some type of ID badge that was the rage? Your sources, were they wartime?

[Remember1864]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Strap Boy,

First read about the "badge" in a Cowan's Auction flyer. Two lots for sale; both were a mix of identified and anonymous officers and NCOs from the 72nd. Both descriptions mentioned the badge. One, described it. I'm surprised this has stumped the CW academic community on the AC!

[coastaltrash]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Man, Pillers is what you consider the academic community of the AC? Sheesh!

[csuniforms]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Man, Pillers is what you consider the academic community of the AC? Sheesh!

I have not heard of a badge for the 72nd either. Pillers is just mad because know one knows the answer.

CSuniforms
Tom Arliskas

[Ken_Irvin]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

John,

Did you try the North South Trader Civil War magazine, drop them a line and inquire if anyones ever dug one. Its a longshot but give it a try.

And you need to refer to J.P. as Professer Pillers when it comes to all things Illi-noise.

Ken
TSM

[ScottCross]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Very odd, and NO, my museum does not have any examples of this badge (hey, we're in Wisconsin!). The 72nd was in the 17th Corps until November when they were transferred to the 23rd Corps, neither of which had a badge like the one described. I would agree with "Professer Pillers", it sounds like an ID badge that was privately purchased, possibly even sold by the regimental sutler, but that's a guess.

Is there a regimental history of the 72nd or any first hand accounts from members?

[cwdoc45]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Yes there is a regimental history it was written by Company A -- Capt. Stockton who was later promoted to General at the end of the war. He started the Chicago Historical Society. He was wounded and was treated about 500 yards north of Carter House by regimental surgeon Charles Ambler Bucher (1st Asst Surgeon) from Batavia, Illinois. Surgeon Bucher was the last medical officer to leave Franklin, TN after the battle when the union troops retreated to Nashville. He later was elected Mayor of Batavia and held county offices. Stockton & Bucher again crossed paths after the great chicago fire. I used to portray Dr. Bucher & have 5 binders worth of data on him.

[rogue]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

The Cowan's Auction items were from the collection of the late Dick Tibbals of Berwyn, Illinois.
They MAY have been written up in the Journal of the Company of Military Historians by Dick.
They were privately made and purchased ID badges, not Corps badges as such.
S.Sullivan
(who saw them once in Dick's green room)

[Remember1864]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

A cousin in Illinois says a friend of his used to collect 72nd Illinois items; CDVs, a presentation sword, et cetera. The guy says, (via my cousin), that he is familiar with the badge and has owned period soldier images showing said badge. 99% of the fellars wearing them are officers. A recent search online showed the book cover of: "Historical Sketch of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Horse Artillery, Illinois Volunteers" / Compiled 1902. The decorative badge on the cover is indeed a star within a circle with a unit member's name inscribed on a separate "hanger" above the star. Granted, this is not an infantry item but perhaps all members of the CBoT wore the same or similar badges. Not a corps badge and certainly private purchase. And the quest continues...

[rogue]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Take a photo copy of that badge that appears on the cover of said book to a local jeweler and perhaps (as the originals may have done) it could be made up for you, especially in small town America (Franklin??).
Say hey to Matt, and invite him down, he needs a road trip badly.
S.Sullivan

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

Finally, some good information among all the wisecrackers... ;-)

Tom's right! I don't like not knowing.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: 72nd Illinois Infantry Badge?

John and John, Is the 72nd collector anyone in our old area? If so there is a strong possibility if he's willing I could get by and take photos or sketch it for you... Let me know... Have you contacted Meyer or Schuler? They both have some obscure Illinois research... On a (Illinois) related note Jones at the JAL Museum has a killer IDed 81st image on loan now. I know the owner, but didn't know he had it, so I'm going to try to get a copy when it comes off display. If I'm sucessful I'll post it... ZZ