5th Corps Badge of John William Hoffman, Colonel 56th Pennsylvania Infantry / SOLD
Silver 5th Corps badge worn by John William Hoffman, who was the Colonel of the 56th Pennsylvania at the Battle of Gettysburg. The 56th Pennsylvania was the second Union infantry regiment on the field on July 1st and the first to open fire, taking on the Confederates of Davis’ Brigade. A twenty-minute firefight caused the Pennsylvanians heavy casualties before the regiment was withdrawn to the woods along Oak Ridge, the extension of Seminary Ridge north of the Railroad Cut. With the collapse of the Union defensive line north and west of Gettysburg in late afternoon the 56th retreated through town to Cemetery Hill, where it was posted to Culp’s Hill for the rest of the battle. This badge would have been worn by Hoffman after March 1864, when the 56th was transferred from the 1st Corps to the 5th Corps. The badge measures 1 5/8” and was solder where the numbers “56” were once attached. Two brass attachment loops are soldered to the reverse. A wonderful corps badge from the colonel of a historic Civil War regiment.
John William Hofmann
Residence Philadelphia PA; a 37 year-old Merchant.
Enlisted on 4/21/1861 as a Captain.
On 4/21/1861 he was commissioned into "E" Co. PA 23rd Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at Philadelphia, PA
On 10/1/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff PA 56th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 7/1/1865 at Philadelphia, PA
Promotions:
* Lt Colonel 10/1/1861 (As of 56th PA Inf)
* Colonel 3/1/1863
* Brig-General 8/1/1864 by Brevet
Other Information:
born 2/18/1824 in Philadelphia, PA
died 3/5/1902 in Philadelphia, PA
Comes housed in a display case with red velvet backing and descriptive card.
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Inventory Number: IDE 134 / SOLD