8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

[SCTiger]

Bought this from a man at a regular event in South Carolina, it once belonged to a William Thibedeaux (sic?) who was from Maine. City unknown and everything else.

I have been told that the 8th & 16th Maine were combined due to high casualties, I have no clue what the "33" refers to, survivors left at this reunion? If any of you Maine types have any further insight, let me know.

BTW the badge is coin is coin silver and I bought it on the cheap. He really wasn't interested in retaining the piece.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

My GG Grandfather was in the 8th Maine so this is interesting to see. As far as the 8th and 16th being combined – it does not look to be true as the 8th was with the 10th, 18th and 24th Corps and the 16th was with 5th Corps. When the 16th was mustered out, its recruits were transferred to the 20th Maine according to the regimental archives. http://www.civilwararchive.com/unionme.htm and also http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/archive...war/reghis.htm

GG Grandpa Monroe died in either 1932/1933 and was among the last 3 survivors of the 8th Maine - According to family legend. Family legend also has him standing on the steps at Appomattox Courthouse when Lee arrived. (No way to confirm that one, but you know how stories go…)

Thanks for sharing and I wish I knew more right now. I’ll have to talk with my Uncle and see if he has anything to offer.

Thanks for sharing!

[SCTiger]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

8th Maine, Organized at Augusta and mustered In September 7, 1861.
16th Maine, Organized at Augusta and mustered in August 14, 1862.

Both units hailed from the same town, so thats probably the link. They shared some campaigns like Petersburg and the coast of SC. The man I bought the pin from mentioned Thibideaux and Augusta. now that I remember.

Thanks for the insight, has anyone ever seen a pin like this? It reminds me of the modern bars used on Army bolo badges for marksmanship, weapons qualification.

[PVT.THIB]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

The "Thibodeaux" in question probably spelled his name like so...Thibodeaux. Don't know if that helps.
Thanks,
Jason Thibodeaux
Independent Rifles

[Marc29thGA]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

Hi Again,

Actually in Maine you'll find far more Thibodeau than Thibodeaux (Probably 150 to 1 through a quick look at the phone book). Sorry, I should have posted that earlier.

A quick look at my copy of Co. C, 8th Maine roll certificate (My uncle has the original copy of my GG Grandfather's) did not show the name of Thibodeau. So, that narrows the search some.

My uncle is on vacation, so it'll be a while before I can pick his family history brain for you.

Y.O.S.,

[rogue]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

Mr. Deese,
Some time ago there was an article in the magazine "North-South Trader's Civil War" about the man, singular, who made this type of badge for G.A.R. reunions. The issue was Volume 28, number 4 if you can locate the issue. Similar badges were made by Robert Eagles of the 1st Minnesota Light Artillery.
The badge you show is commonly known as a "ladder badge" and they are eagerly sought after by collectors.
Steve Sullivan

[SCTiger]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

delete this post

[SCTiger]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

This one is being sold for$1100:



Other similar examples:





You are right, they aren't cheap, the lowest one went for $350, this one should've had a bullion tassel or ribbon attached to the lower bar.

I never realized how active this field of collecting was, it happens when you get myopic about the stuff between, 1861-65. Now the post war stuff is getting out of reach as well.

Thanks for help, great to know the proper name for it now!

[1stMaine]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

Greg,

That's an interesting item you have there. I am wondering if, perchance, it was assembled from a couple of them.

I say that because Maine only fielded 32 regiments/battalions of Infantry, so the "33" is a mystery, unless he was a Rolling Rock drinker :)

The 8th & 16th, as Marc noted, never served together. In fact, it was late in the war before they even got close together. I also did a quick check on the fellow's name through several sources with no hits. On wednesday or thursday, I'll be able to access the local history room's copy of the Maine rolls which list everyone who served and I'll be able to give you a better answer (I hope) as to his service.

Respects,

[SCTiger]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

I believe the 16 and 33 could have been added on; the loops have been twisted out of place at some point. I paid a whopping $15 for it, so let me know if it would help out with a ACW display in Maine. I don't want to donate it if to any organization that has too much stuff and it would just sit in some file cabinet or would be unappreciated.

I have donated items like this and stopped two years ago, because most museums are not impressed by anything like this. If the Maine historians could put it to use as a LH item, let me know, we could then keep it in our system. Or if possibly it could help a smaller Maine historical society or someone that doesn't have enough ACW relics.

I could sell it on some fancy auction house, but I didn't earn this badge, somebody else did, sweating in a Union uniform at Beaufort or at the trenches of Petersburg. Besides I hate it when these rich guys drive up all the prices and the items end up in a frame on his living room wall, never to be seen again.

[Jim Mayo]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

[QUOTE=SCTiger;67640
Thanks for the insight, has anyone ever seen a pin like this? It reminds me of the modern bars used on Army bolo badges for marksmanship, weapons qualification.[/QUOTE]

I think they are called ladder badges. Yours looks like it may have had some more bars at the bottom. I have seen them with the name engraved on the top bar.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: 8/16th Maine Reunion pin?

Hi Guys,

My Uncle is back from his vacation and he looked at the information and pictures. This badge does not strike as anything he has seen. He does not recall anything mentioned in the family history of reunions, but that does not mean my GG Grandfather did not attend one or several.

Wish he could have shed some light, but not on this one.