Original Item: One-Of-A-Kind. Corps badges in the American Civil War were originally worn by soldiers of the Union Army on the top of their army forage cap (kepi), left side of the hat, or over their left breast. The idea is attributed to Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny, who ordered the men in his division to sew a two-inch square of red cloth on their hats to avoid confusion on the battlefield. This idea was adopted by Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker after he assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, so any soldier could be identified at a distance.

Maj. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, Hooker's chief of staff, was assigned the task of designing a distinctive shape for each corps badge. Butterfield also designated that each division in the corps should have a variation of the corps badge in a different color. Division badges were colored as follows:

Red — First division of corps
White — Second division of corps
Blue — Third division of corps

These were used in the United States' Army of the Potomac. For the most part, these rules were adopted by other Union Armies, however it was not universal. For example, the XIII Corps never adopted a badge, and the XIX Corps had the first division wear a red badge, the second division wear a blue badge, and the third division wear white.

For Army corps that had more than three divisions, the standardization was lost:

Green — Fourth division of VI, IX, and XX Corps
Yellow — Fourth division of XV Corps (reportedly Orange was also used for a 5th Division Badge)
Multicolor — Headquarters or artillery elements (certain corps)

The badges for enlisted men were cut from colored cloth, while officer's badges were privately made and of a higher quality. Metallic badges were often made by jewelers and were personalized for the user. The badges eventually became part of the Army regulations and a great source of regimental pride.

This badge is a beautiful example of a metallic badge that was made to show pride of one's regiment. The badge itself was constructed of silver coins that were melted down and shaped into the badge you see now. The badge itself is not a pin back or safety pin style, it appears to have been made from the back of a uniform button. Unfortunately the text on the back of the brass button is too worn to be read and identified.

The badge was either made by or requested by John R. Mills of Company K with the 60th New York Infantry Volunteer Regiment. John Mills enlisted at 35 years old out of Richville, New York and was given the rank of Corporal on September 9, 1861, 5 months after the start of the war. On November 1, 1862 he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and was reduced to the rank of Sergeant on May 1, 1865 for reasons unknown. On June 30, 1865 Sergeant Mills received another promotion, this time to a commissioned officer at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. On July 17, 1865, nearly 3 months after the end of the war, 2nd Lieutenant Mills was mustered out of service in Alexandria, Virginia.

This is a wonderful example of regimental pride from the American Civil War. Not too many of these survived through the years and are seldom seen anymore. This is a great opportunity to add a genuine US Civil War artifact to your collections. Comes ready to display!

60th New York Infantry Regiment
The 60th New York Infantry Regiment (aka "St. Lawrence Regiment") was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment saw service in both the eastern and the western theaters of the American Civil War.
The 60th New York Infantry was organized at Ogdensburg, New York beginning July 5, 1861 and mustered in for a three-year enlistment on October 30, 1861 under the command of Colonel William B. Hayward.

The regiment was attached to Dix's Division to March 1862. Railroad Brigade, Army of the Potomac, to June 1863. 2nd Brigade, Sigel's Division, Department of the Shenandoah, to June 26, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps, Pope's Army of Virginia, to August 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps, Army of Virginia, to September 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, XII Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XII Corps, to May 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, XII Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October 1863, and Army of the Cumberland to April 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, XX Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to July 1865.

The 60th New York Infantry mustered out of service July 17, 1865.

The regiment lost a total of 168 men during service; 3 officers and 64 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 5 officers and 96 enlisted men died of disease, a total of 168.

Corporal Follett Johnson, Company H - Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of New Hope Church