"Corps Insignia" Topic

I know it was Hooker who created the Corps badges ( Circle for 1st Corps, trifoil for 3nd, Diamond for 3rd etc). My question is, from Chancellorsville on, how prevalent were they worn by units? All? Some? Which ones?

Any help would be appreciated.

George aka Milhouse

Unfortunately I sold my books on that specific battle.

Since Hooker adopted it as another method to Reestablish moral for the Army of the Potomac, I think they became pretty Prevalent for that Army. It progressed slower to other Armies, but was eventually adopted by most Corps. Remember the color changes by division. I doubt anyone could dispute you if you use it for the Potomac from that time onward. A few short links

Subject: Civil War Corps Badges, History


link

Subject: Addressing Gettysburg | Corps Badges


link

Also try signing up for a membership on civil war talk. I think they are free and there are lots of threads out there on corp badges.

CivilWarTalk.com

Hope I helped

I seem to recall that when several corps in the Army of the Potomac were disbanded and the troops consolidated with other corps, the troops of the disbanded corps stubbornly continued to wear their old corps badges in spite of orders.

Old Glory produces the regiments in 28mm with Corp Badges cast on.

Russ Dunaway

@Scott, I've also read that they wore two badges, or came up with a hybrid badge representing both units. Unit identity and pride could remain strong.

OP, I don't know if there is a definitive answer. I think that it is safe to say that as more time passed, more units would have adopted the insignia so, I would expect a lot more compliance in mid-1864 than mid-1863. I read somewhere that it was not known or not believed that the AoP was "in compliance" at Gettyburg.

Hopefully you can access this

Subject: Monument Monday, May 16, 2022 – Union Corps Badges in the West | Contemporary Photos of Sites & Events


link

When elements of XI and XII Corps were shipped west and consolidated as XX Corps, there was some comment that troops in the western US armies hadn't seen a corps badge before--though they did adopt them later.

My usual rant: if you insist on an army exactly right for one year or one battle, it will be wrong for everything else. How many ACW Union armies are you prepared to build? Build one that suits you and use it for everything ACW, or you'll run yourself out of time, money and space.

This one insinuates they did wear them at Chancellorsville. One unit, but it does mention it.

Subject: The Irish Rifles At the Battle of Chancellorsville – Warfare History Network


link

Robert good point. Especially depending on your rules, for instance "Fire and Fury", you are Better with generic. Also if you are trying to paint them on kepis or coats, depending on the size, wow.

Have to agree – while they are a nice touch, for my 15mm ACW Yankees they are all pretty generic (well, except for the Iron Brigade and the 14th Brooklyn)

Let me clarify. I did not say "go generic" though most of my ACW--6mm, 10mm and 54mm--are. My warning was not to get wrapped around the axle about tactically meaningless uniform distinctions. If you want to paint your union forces exactly right for 1st Division III Corps on the morning of the second day at Gettysburg, I say go for it. But be prepared to use them for Pea Ridge or 1st Manassas. The important thing is that an observer can immediately see that they're Union infantry. If the rules distinguish between types and grades of Union infantry, it would be nice if that too were visible. The more you can tell by just looking at the unit, the less cluttered with markers your tabletop needs to be.

I seem to recall that when several corps in the Army of the Potomac were disbanded and the troops consolidated with other corps, the troops of the disbanded corps stubbornly continued to wear their old corps badges in spite of orders.

Yes, pretty sure I have read that … probably in Catton. The disbanding of the 1st and 3rd Corps was supposedly temporary (but didn't turn out to be).