Post by Robert Braun on Feb 26, 2002 16:53:13 GMT -5
There appears to be a mini-debate of sorts surrounding the so-called "veteran's pin."
For those of us unfamiliar with this item, various vendors and doubtless sutlers of the ACW period sold a variety of patriotic and identification pins and badges. Among them are rectangular metal pins bearing state abbreviations: "ILL," "MINN." and of course "WIS." The provenance of these pins appears to be limited to the western states. Some collectors have found dug specimens and have dubbed these items "veteran's pins"-- although WHY they call them so remains to be adequately explained. Interestingly enough, an original "WIS." pin in brass found on the Iuka/Corith battlefield is reportedly on display in a local museum.
Which brings us to the point of this post. Since we can establish the use of the state pins during the first year of the ACW, they hardly qualify as so-called "veteran pins." They were, in fact a 'state' pin allowing the wearer to boast his state affiliation... at a time when state pride was definately in vogue.
Were such pins worn in the Thirty-third Wisconsin?
The answer appears to be an unqualified [glow=red,2,300]"YES!"[/glow]
In Thirty-third Wisconsin soldier images dating from the Camp Utley period (October 1 - November 8, 1862) two of the "Rock County Plough Boys" of Co. "E" are seen wearing the "WIS." pin on their hats: Aurthur J. Robinson and James Turner (with thanks to Mark Dexter of Eagle, WI.) In my experiance, such state pins in identified images are quite rare. We are indeed fortunate to be able to document this interesting non-military item to Company "E."
It may be significant to know that Co. "E" is also among the few companies to sport brass company letters and brass number "33"s on their hats as well. Perhaps this was part of an overall agreement among the Co. "E" boys to go in and purchase such items from a Racine vendor. Maybe, too, they were a gift from Captain Miltimore to the boys.
For those of us unfamiliar with this item, various vendors and doubtless sutlers of the ACW period sold a variety of patriotic and identification pins and badges. Among them are rectangular metal pins bearing state abbreviations: "ILL," "MINN." and of course "WIS." The provenance of these pins appears to be limited to the western states. Some collectors have found dug specimens and have dubbed these items "veteran's pins"-- although WHY they call them so remains to be adequately explained. Interestingly enough, an original "WIS." pin in brass found on the Iuka/Corith battlefield is reportedly on display in a local museum.
Which brings us to the point of this post. Since we can establish the use of the state pins during the first year of the ACW, they hardly qualify as so-called "veteran pins." They were, in fact a 'state' pin allowing the wearer to boast his state affiliation... at a time when state pride was definately in vogue.
Were such pins worn in the Thirty-third Wisconsin?
The answer appears to be an unqualified [glow=red,2,300]"YES!"[/glow]
In Thirty-third Wisconsin soldier images dating from the Camp Utley period (October 1 - November 8, 1862) two of the "Rock County Plough Boys" of Co. "E" are seen wearing the "WIS." pin on their hats: Aurthur J. Robinson and James Turner (with thanks to Mark Dexter of Eagle, WI.) In my experiance, such state pins in identified images are quite rare. We are indeed fortunate to be able to document this interesting non-military item to Company "E."
It may be significant to know that Co. "E" is also among the few companies to sport brass company letters and brass number "33"s on their hats as well. Perhaps this was part of an overall agreement among the Co. "E" boys to go in and purchase such items from a Racine vendor. Maybe, too, they were a gift from Captain Miltimore to the boys.