5th New York Independent Battery Light Artillery Hat Insignia 

Description

5th New York Independent Battery Light Artillery Hat Insignia

 

Exceptional set of Civil War 5th New York Independent Battery Artillery hat insignia, consisting of three distinct pieces that recently surfaced together. Included is a large embroidered officer’s Hardee hat eagle insignia worked in metallic bullion on a black velvet ground, a handsome New York State “Excelsior” coat-of-arms insignia in stamped brass mounted on black velvet, and a detailed embroidered artillery insignia featuring crossed cannon with the numeral “5” above, likewise mounted on a dark  velvet backing.

 

Together, the three pieces would have provided a particularly striking display when worn on the broad face of a regulation Hardee or dress hat.

 

The 5th New York Independent Battery, commonly known as Taft’s Battery, was commanded for much of its service by Captain Elijah D. Taft. Organized in New York City in 1861, the battery entered Federal service during the first year of the Civil War and became part of the Army of the Potomac. Armed as a heavy field battery, the unit saw extensive campaigning in the Eastern Theater and participated in some of the Army of the Potomac’s most important operations.

 

The battery is particularly remembered for its service during the Gettysburg Campaign of 1863. Taft’s New Yorkers were present on the field at Gettysburg and were engaged during the critical fighting of July 2 and July 3, when Union artillery played an essential role in holding the Federal position against repeated Confederate attacks. The battery continued in active service after Gettysburg and remained part of the hard-fighting artillery arm of the Army of the Potomac through the later campaigns of the war.

 

Relics of a historic regiment that fought at Gettysburg and served through the major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.

 

Inventory Number: INS 469