10th Corps Badge of Arlon S. Atherton, 3rd New Hampshire Infantry / SOLD
Exceptional silver jeweler made and engraved 10th Corps badge. The pin backed top bar is engraved with fine scroll work and “A.S. Atherton.” Attached to the top bar is a red silk ribbon with a scroll engraved silver bottom piece suspending the fort shaped 10th Corps badge engraved “Co. I. 3rd N.H. VOLS.” The badge measures 4 ¼” in total length. Arlon Sabin Atherton (April 4, 1842 - December 6, 1922) was an American politician from Warwick, Massachusetts, who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives after being elected to the 104th Massachusetts General Court in 1882. He was a soldier in the American Civil War from New Hampshire, prior to being a state legislator for Massachusetts during the late 19th century.
Atherton served in the 3rd New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, having mustered in as a private on August 21, 1861. He was involved in a total of fifteen engagements from November 1861 to early July 1864. Over this period, he was promoted to the rank of corporal on June 21, 1862, followed by sergeant on September 15, 1863. Atherton re-enlisted and mustered in on February 11, 1864. He was appointed first sergeant on June 21, 1864, and second lieutenant on July 7, 1864. During 1864, his regiment suffered great loss in numbers. Atherton was sent to the front lines, and his regiment made significant advances, but he was severely wounded in the lung and captured by Confederate forces as his regiment retreated on August 16, 1864, during the Second Battle of Deep Bottom, in Virginia. As the wounded Federal soldiers were attended to by the Confederate forces, Atherton made a Masonic sign, and a nearby surgeon came to his aid and took him into his immediate care. The surgeon's quick-thinking actions saved Atherton's life.
Shortly after, he was strong enough to be relocated with other wounded Federal soldiers to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, a prison that was notorious for disease. However, Atherton was selected as part of a prisoner exchange the following month. Atherton was paroled during September 1864 and sent to Annapolis, Maryland. He was appointed first lieutenant on November 9, 1864, followed by captain on May 15, 1865. He mustered out on July 20, 1865, and shortly after relocated to Warwick, Massachusetts just over the state line from his birthplace of Richmond, New Hampshire. This is an attractive and high-end corps badge with a great history.
Arlon Sabin Atherton - Residence Richmond NH; 19 years old. Enlisted on 8/14/1861 as a Private. On 8/24/1861 he mustered into "I" Co. NH 3rd Infantry. He Re-enlisted on 2/14/1864. He was Mustered Out on 7/20/1865 at Goldsboro, NC. He was listed as: POW 8/16/1864 Deep Bottom Run, VA. Wounded 8/16/1864 Deep Bottom Run, VA. Paroled 9/15/1864 (place not stated) Promotions: Corpl. 6/21/1862. Sergt. 9/15/1863. 1st Sergt. 6/21/1864. 1st Lieut. 11/9/1864 (As of Co. G). Capt. 5/15/1865 (As of Co. I). 2nd Lieut. 7/7/1865 (As of Co. E). Intra Regimental Company Transfers: 11/9/1864 from company I to company G. 5/15/1865 from company G to company I. 7/7/1865 from company I to company E. Other Information: Born 4/4/1842 in Richmond, NH. Member of GAR Post # 12 (Horace M. Warren) in Wakefield, MA. Held GAR Offices: Post Commander # 12. Died 12/6/1922. Buried: Warwick Cemetery, Warwick, Franklin County, MA. (Wife: Susan Caldwell (1846-1925). Federal Pension Information: He applied for a pension on 8/7/1865. application # 81,552. His Widow (Susan M Atherton) applied for a pension on 1/2/1923 from the state of MA. application # 1,198,693.
Comes housed in a display case with black velvet backing and descriptive card.
Inventory Number: IDE 145 / SOLD