Corp badges

[Bill Cross]

Reminder: corps badges!

I want to make sure that no one who is registered as Federal for "Into the Wilderness" will be unaware that a corps badge is expected on every forage cap. There are four styles available from giltwire@aol.com. The preferred enlisted man's options are the bottom three (please see attached image). Contact the vendor about pricing. All three are offered in a period wool and not the modern felt. The badge should be affixed as a cross and not as an "X".

If you are of a mind to make your own, the suggested dimensions are 1 3/4" in diameter by 5/8" wide across the arms of the cross.

[justthemiller]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

Dear Bill,

On April 19th, 1864, wasn't an order issued from the Commanding General, 6th Corps, stating that the Corps Badge was to be worn as a St. Andrews cross and not a Greek cross? I believe this was done in order to avoid confusion with the 18th Corps, who wore a (at least from a distance) similar device. If your folks are portraying the 7th Maine after that date you may wish to keep that in mind.

[DukeRPSC]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

Dear Bill,

On April 19th, 1864, wasn't an order issued from the Commanding General, 6th Corps, stating that the Corps Badge was to be worn as a St. Andrews cross and not a Greek cross? I believe this was done in order to avoid confusion with the 18th Corps, who wore a (at least from a distance) similar device. If your folks are portraying the 7th Maine after that date you may wish to keep that in mind.

James,

Not to argue with you here... and we do appreciate your help... but while your point about the order may be true, I've never seen one worn that way in any picture. I know the corps and divisional HQ flags showed the cross the way you indicate. I would suggest that taking as evidence the placement of inscriptions on the pricier private purchase versions of these items or placement on extant examples of hats and forage weighs against wearing them as per the directive of the order. That doesn't even address how they're portrayed in post-war drawings, which is as a Greek Cross. I'd suggest the PEC method here to be as a Greek cross and not a St. Andrews cross as per your quoted order.

Many times soldiers do things one way while orders may state otherwise.

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

David -

Here is a shot of Vermont man wearing his 6th Corps badge more as an "X" (S. Andrew's) rather than a "t" (Greek).



I would say that either way is correct, obviously men would have them sewn in the Greek style prior to the order. Who can say what the individual did...

But, both are correct for your timeframe, and it should not be prohobited...

[DukeRPSC]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

[QUOTE=RyanBWeddle]David -

Here are a shot of Vermont man wearing their 6th Corps badge as an "X" (S. Andrew's) rather than a "t" (Greek).

Ryan:

With respect, not so. Study carefully the way the man's frock coat is opened and how it would show the cross when buttoned closed. Look at the cross in relation to the buttonholes and the open edge of the coat. I'd say it places the points of the cross up and down, not diagonally. Thus, the Greek cross.

I still adhere to the PEC format being as a Greek cross.

[DukeRPSC]

'X'-worn corps badges! Ooopsie!

My earlier post: "Not to argue with you here... and we do appreciate your help... but while your point about the order may be true, I've never seen one worn that way in any picture."

I did find one and, of all places, it was on the 7th Maine ITW website. Duh-er! I have seen this picture. The gentleman clearly wears his badge in compliance with the cited order.

Memory...it's just not what it ought to be. Yes, I'll take a bit of salt with that egg off'n my face, too.

[Bill Cross]

Check with your mess mates!!

Your best bet on how to wear your badge would be to follow the practices of your mess mates and others in your company. When in doubt, wear it as a "cross" and not an "X," since we do not have a definitive answer on practices in the 6th Corps at this point in the war. The evidence leans to this interpretation with some variation.

[RyanBWeddle]

I don't know why I keep posting on this, I don't even know who you're potraying, etc. I'm not even attending this event . . .

BUT, here's another couple images of 6th Corps badges as the St. Andrew's cross...one is of staff officer's of the 6th Corps, badges seen worn both ways...The other is off Gen. Seymour w/ his Corps/Div. flag....

I still think both are correct for the Spring/Summer of 1864. Orders are orders...

[DougCooper]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

Regarding the circular directing that the Greek Cross turn into a St Andrews Cross in April 1864 - Your avg pvt was probably not real happy to have to remove and sew their badge on at an angle...I imagine any number of wags took to standing crooked in formation to approximate the "new angle."

That change is just the kind of thing that drives combat soldiers nuts - and justifies the existance of the Army functionary that first suggested it (Corps Badge Department?).

In fact if you note the Corps Flag in the bottom photo posted by Ryan has the flag correct but hanging so as to show a Greek Cross - perhaps a subtle protest.

Messing with badges that folks love is a sure route to create hate and discontent...

[FC Barlow]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

The photo above actually show Maj. Gen. Horatio Wright, not Truman Seymour, as previously stated.

Just wanted to clarify.

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

Doug - That wouldn't be only Corps Badge protest in the war. The Iron Brigade when transfered to the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac in August, 1864, wore this badge as a sign of protest. I believe that Billings or F. Todd covers this . . .

Corps badges were an immense sign of unit pride.

Sorry for going crazy on hijacking this thread. . .and Mr. Berkoff is right, I mis-labeled the general by accident..it is Gen. H. Wright

[FC Barlow]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

And the sitting officer second from the right in the group shot is 7th Maine's Thomas W. Hyde, then serving on Sedgwick's staff, probably taken near the Welford House (at Brandy Station) in spring 1864.

Didn't mean to start this again...I just can't help it.

[Bill Cross]

Re: Reminder: corps badges!

That wouldn't be only Corps Badge protest in the war.

You said a mouthful, brother!

After the 3rd Corps was decimated during the second day at Gettysburg, the 7th NJ was transferred into the 2nd Corps. The soldiers showed their contempt for this decision by putting their corps badges on the seats of their pants. :wink_smil

[Steve Acker]

Corps Badges

In Echoes of Battle: The Atlanta Campaign, on page 23 there is an excellent interior photo of six IV Corps men. The man the back is wearing a corps badge.
In Billings, Hardtack and Coffee it states that,
"This badge, cut two inches in diameter, from cloth of colors red, white and Blue, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions respectively, may be worn by all men of the Corps."
This comes from General Order NO. 62, dated April 26, 1864, from Major-General Thomas.

Corps pride, the date of the order and the ease of finding blue wool, makes a corps badge a sporting adornment to your black hat.

Steve Acker
Hogg Mess
Captain for Picketts Mill

[FlaYankee]

Re: Corps Badges

Steve;
Please correct me if I'm wrong; Whereas on the hat it states in Billings H&C "enlisted men were require to wear theirs on the front of their hat or the top of their cap." :thinking: On the blouse or jacket, on the left side.
So should we apply the 3rd Division, 4th Corps, badge now or wait till we arrive at the Mill?
Thanks;
Kindest Regards;