Federal privates in NCO gear...

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Federal privates in NCO gear...

In my research of the 124th New York, I have found two examples of Privates wearing NCO Belt Buckles, both of whom never had been promoted. On top of that I've found a private who wore an officer's buckle and belt. David Kidd wrote home that he got himself an officer's buckle because it was lighter than the Enlisted lead filled one. I have a picture of Kidd wearing his officer's buckle as well as the buckle itself.

While this doesn't seem to have been a common thing, it's just like so many other little occurrences that express just how much individualism and practical thinking played in the ranks.

Thank you, Ryan!

I knew that further evidence would emerge from someplace on the board/forum.