Identification Disk of Sergeant Vinson Loomis 10th New York Cavalry, Battle of Gettysburg Veteran / SOLD

Identification Disk of Sergeant Vinson Loomis 10th New York Cavalry, Battle of Gettysburg Veteran - Inventory Number:  IDE 198 / SOLD

Brass identification disk with patriotic shield motif and the legend “AGAINST REBELLION 1861.” The opposite side has the punched identification “SERG’T V. LOOMIS / Co. G / 10th / REG. / N.Y. S. V. CAV.” Vinson Loomis enlisted in November 1861 as a private in the 10th New York Cavalry, also known as the “Porter Guard.” Loomis’ Company G and seven other companies of the regiment were stationed in Gettysburg during the winter of 1861-1862. Ironically, Loomis and the 10th New York would return to Gettysburg for the battle and were engaged near their old drill fields at Brinkerhoff’s Ridge. He was discharged for disability in July 1865 and received a pension later in life for chronic rheumatism and from a shotgun blast to the left leg, left wrist, and head, likely from action during the Battle of Ream’s Station. The disk measures 1 1/8” and retains a significant amount of gold wash. Accompanied by copies of Loomis’ muster rolls, discharge, and pension records. An excellent specimen from a veteran Union cavalry trooper. 

NEW YORK TENTH CAVALRY (Three Years)

Tenth Cavalry.-Cols., John C. Lemmon, William Irvine, Mathew H. Avery; Lieut.-Cols., William Irvine, M. H. Avery, Frederick L. Tremain, Benjamin F. Sceva; Majs., M. H. Avery, George W. Kennedy, James M. Reynolds, John H. Kemper, Theodore H. Weed, Martin H. Blynn, Alva D. Waters, William A. Snyder.

This regiment, known also as the Porter Guard, is enumerated by Col. Fox as one of the three hundred fighting regiments of the war. It was organized at Elmira during the fall of 1861, from companies recruited in the counties of Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Erie, Fulton, Onondaga and Steuben. Cos. A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H were mustered into the U. S. service from Sept. 27 to Dec. 28, 1861, for three years; I, K and L were mustered in at Elmira on Oct. 29-30, 1862, and M in Nov. and Dec., 1862. Cos. I, K and L joined the regiment on Dec. 5, 1862, and M in Feb., 1863, completing the regimental organization.

At the expiration of their term of service in the fall of 1864, the original members of the first eight companies, except veterans and recruits, were mustered out, and the regiment was retained in service until July 10, 1865, when it was consolidated with the 24th N. Y. cavalry, the consolidated force being designated as the 1st provisional regiment N. Y. cavalry.

The first eight companies left the state on Dec. 24, 1861 and were stationed at Gettysburg during the remainder of the winter. In the spring and summer of 1862, it did railroad guard duty and served in the defenses of Washington, where it was mounted. It saw its first active service in the Manassas campaign of 1862 and was in Bayard's brigade at Fredericksburg. It participated in the Stoneman raid at the time of the Chancellorsville campaign, with the 1st brigade, 3d cavalry division. On June 14, 1863, it was assigned to the 3d brigade, 2nd division (Gen. D. McM. Gregg's), in which it served until the close of the war, Gen. Crook commanding the division in the final campaign of 1865.

Its brigade commanders were Gens. J. I. Gregg and H. E. Davies, Jr. The regiment encountered its hardest fighting at Brandy Station in June, 1863, where it lost 6 killed, 18 wounded and 61 missing. At Middleburg its loss was 30; at Sulphur Springs, Auburn, Bristoe and Catlett's station in October, 53; at Haw's shop and Hanoverton, 42; at Trevilian Station, 21; at St. Mary's Church, 22; and at Boydton road, 17. In the final Appomattox campaign its losses aggregated 72 killed, wounded, and missing. Lieut.-Col. Tremain, a brilliant young officer, died of wounds received at Hatcher's run.  The following extract from the muster-out rolls of the regiment shows the sort of stuff of which the regiment was made: "Lieut. William J. Rabb (Co. D); killed at Brandy Station, by a saber-thrust through the body while lying under his horse; he would not surrender." Corp. Andrew Bringle, Corp. James L. Cary, Capt. N. D. Preston, and Sergt. Llewellyn P. Norton were awarded Medals of Honor for gallantry in action by the secretary of war. The regiment lost while in service 9 officers and 97 men killed or died of wounds; 1 officer and 151 men died of disease, accident, in prison, etc., a total of 258, out of an enrollment of 2,029 officers and men.

Among its important engagements were Leesburg, Beverly ford, Middleburg, Gettysburg, Shepherdstown, Sulphur Springs, Auburn, Bristoe Station, Morrisville, Todd's tavern, near Richmond, Haw's shop, Trevilian Station, King and Queen Court House, St. Mary's Church, Deep Bottom, Lee's mill, Reams' station, Poplar Spring Church, Boydton road, Prince George Court House, Disputanta Station.  Stony Creek Station, Hatcher's run, Dinwiddie Court House, Sailor's creek and Farmville.

Source:  The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 190

Vinson Loomis - 31 years old. Enlisted on 11/20/1861 at Smithville, NY as a Private. On 12/3/1861 he mustered into "G" Co. NY 10th Cavalry. He Re-enlisted on 12/17/1863. He was discharged for disability on 7/17/1865 at Philadelphia, PA. Promotions: Sergt.

Comes housed in a 12 x 16 inch display case with black velvet backing and descriptive card.

 Inventory Number:  IDE 198 / SOLD