Killed in Action at the Wilderness This Inscribed Silver Sixth Corps Badge 4th Vermont Infantry / SOLD

Killed in Action at the Wilderness This Inscribed Silver Sixth Corps Badge 4th Vermont Infantry - Inventory Number: IDE 258 / SOLD

This historic relic bears the name "L.A. Bryant" in script in an arc over "Co. C" on the central cross bar of the badge. The bottom of the vertical bar is broken off, but the top of the regimental numerical designation is visible. There is no doubt about the soldier who wore it in action on the battlefield where he was killed and the badge was recovered a century later: Lewis A. Byant, Company C, 4th Vermont Volunteers, serving at the time in the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. Bryant was born about 1843 in Mendon, Vermont, was a cotton-spinner at a mill in Windsor in 1860 described 5' 5" tall with dark complexion, brown hair and eyes. He was credited to the town of Chester, when he enlisted at Cavendish 27 August 1861 and mustered in there as a private in Co. G on September 21. The regiment formed part of the Old Vermont Brigade, with which it served throughout the war. Up to the opening of Grant's 1864 overland campaign, their battle honors included, Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Golding's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Crampton's Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights (Second Fredericksburg,) Gettysburg, Funkstown, and Rappahannock Station. Bryant seems to have been present throughout most of the heavy service, being listed absent sick only from late July 1863 through the end of October, part of which time he was a General Hospital in Brattleboro, perhaps giving him a last visit home before rejoining the regiment in November. On May 5, 1864, at the Wilderness the regiment held the left of the brigade line and fought a "concealed foe" at less than 75 yards for "upwards of an hour.". The fighting cost them 10 officers wounded and 8 killed outright or mortally wounded. Of some 550 enlisted men in the fight, they lost 223 wounded, 43 mortally wounded, and 41 killed outright, including Bryant, with just 4 men missing. This piece was recovered on private property with owner's permission near the Orange Plank Road in the 1960s. The finder noted that the area was carpeted with empty magazine tins from the fighting along with buttons and other artifacts. In a cruel bit of irony, Bryant's loss of the identification badge in the fighting apparently led to the failure to subsequently identify his body. We have found no marked grave for him. His mother, Mary, applied for a pension in 1870. Her file would likely supply more personal information. CONDITION: Very good but missing the lower branch of the cross. The engraved border line and script identification is professionally done and fully legible. The pin and clasp hook are missing from the reverse. This is a very telling memento of a life cut short in the country's service.

Found in a Wilderness Grave

This small silver cross was found in a grave site on the Wilderness battlefield. The bottom of the cross is missing, but if complete it would be a "Greek" cross, emblem of the 6* Corps, Army of the Potomac. Enough of the inscription on the cross survives to identify the owner as Lewis A. Bryant, Co. C, 4th Vermont infantry. This emblem was not issued, but would have been purchased by Private Bryant. Records show that he was killed on May 5, 1864 and buried on the field. After the war his remains would have been re-buried in the temporary cemetery on the field. Later they would have been moved to the National Cemetery at Fredericksburg. Since the bodies were originally buried without coffins, when the remains were moved, buttons etc. would have fallen off rotted clothing and remained on the site. The shallow graves were not re-filled and still showed as shallow depressions after 100 years. The grave was located on the south side of the Plank Road where his unit was engaged. In addition to the cross, 18 unfired bullets and an eagle button were found at the site.

Private Bryant was not married and left no descendants. In 1871 his mother applied for a pension based on his war service. She was a widow with little other means of support.

Comes housed in a riker display case with black velvet and descriptive card.

Inventory Number: IDE 258 / SOLD