Posted 3 years ago
twl989
(1 item)
I recently inherited a bunch of Civil War antiques owned by an ancestor and passed down through relatives including the medals & pins pictured as well as confederate currency and several journals.
Can anyone tell me what these pins & medals mean? Any good resources for identifying and learning about these would be greatly appreciated! I'm also wondering how to go about restoring & preserving these. Not going to sell anything but I'd like to get some sense of if any of these are particularly valuable and should be insured. I also have a leather bound monocular.
The medal/token with the American flag states:
Front: "Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant"
Back: "Surrender of Gen. Lee to Gen. Grant April 9th 1865"
Corp badge states:
Capt. W. F. (?) Crane
Co. B. 157th P.V.
Thanks for looking and appreciate any info!
GREAT collection-- the Maltese cross was a Civil War Corps badge that represents 5th Corps.
Some look to be period. The most enticing is the central badge with the cross/ ribbon and named top. I cannot read the badge-- if you post better pictures, I can give you some information on your ancestor.
Also the two "hunting horn" insignia are Civil War hat badges-- also carry some interest and value.
The top left is not CW-- it is a WW2 or later Good Conduct Medal ribbon.
The Grant medallion looks to be a post war souvenir piece.
I don't see anything needed as far as restoration-- I'd buy a riker or similar mount and put it in there for safe keeping (out of sunlight to prevent fade).
All in all a fantastic grouping with historical and monetary significance!
Nice to have a family group like this.
scott
Scott - Awesome! This is great info, thank you so much!! We have some genealogical info and journals as well that we plan to dig into soon to add background to all this. Also have a leather-bound monocular that I may post a picture of soon.
Glad to help. Don't forget blow up photos of the engraved corps badge-- it is a nice one!
scott
I added the corp badge close up and monocular pictures.
Corp badge states:
Capt. W. F. (?) Crane
Co. B. 157th P.V.
Any idea what that means?
Thanks!
It is your ancestor's name and unit. "P.V." is Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Here is his information on the Historical Data Systems (HDS) site:
William F. Crane
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 12/16/1862 as a 1st Lieutenant.
On 12/16/1862 he was commissioned into "B" Co. PA 157th Infantry
He was transferred out on 4/26/1865
On 4/26/1865 he transferred into "D" Co. PA 191st Infantry
He was discharged on 5/25/1865
Promotions:
* Capt 12/1/1864
Take a look online for the "157th pa infantry" and "191st pa infantry" to get an idea on the battles he fought in.
scott