Mississippi Cavalry Button 

Description

Mississippi Cavalry Button 

2nd battalion Mississippi Calvary,, also known as the Jeff Davis Legion Companies A, B, C, (Hampton’s) Young’s Brigade, Stuart’s (Hampton’s) Division, Army of Northern Virginia.  This Mississippi C button was lost in spring of 1864 and recovered in 1974 by Linwood Leary on Pole Cat Creek. east of today’s Ladysmith Rest area off I-95 in Carolina County. 

In May 1864, Confederate Brigadier General P.M.B. Young’s cavalry brigade, part of Major General Wade Hampton’s division, used its camp and picket position along Polecat Creek in Virginia for scouting and screening against Federal advances. This positioning was critical during the Overland Campaign, allowing the Confederate Army to monitor and respond to Union movements.  By posting pickets (sentries) along the creek, Young’s brigade created a screen that blocked Union cavalry patrols from gaining intelligence on Confederate positions. This was crucial as Union commander Ulysses S. Grant began maneuvering his army southward, attempting to get between Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia and the Confederate capital of Richmond. 

In the months prior to this button being lost, it was flying in the wind with a Mississippi trooper against Custer’s Michigan Brigade at Gettysburg.  The Jeff Davis Legion played a key role in the Battle of Gettysburg’s East Cavalry Field on July 3, 1863, by aiding the 1st Virginia Cavalry in a charge against Union forces. As part of General Hampton’s Brigade, the Legion helped break a Union advance and push back the 7th Michigan Cavalry, contributing to the failed Confederate attempt to turn the Union flank and threaten the supply line. The Legion brought 246 men to the battle, suffering 14 casualties (4 killed and 10 wounded) during this fight.  Great button with great history! 

Inventory Number:  CON 717