The Grand Army Badge
The badge is of bronze, made from cannons
captured in battle during the Civil War, and is in a form of a five-pointed
star, similar in design to the two hundred Medals of Honor, authorized by an act
of Congress to be given to the soldiers and sailors most distinguished for
meritorious and gallant conduct during the Civil War.
THE OBVERSE -- in the center of the badge
is the figure of the goddess of liberty, representing loyalty. On either
side, a soldier and a sailor clasping hands, representing fraternity, and two
children receiving benediction and assurance of protection from the comrades,
representing charity. On each side of the group is the National Flag and
the Eagle, representing freedom; and the axe, or bundle of rods, or fasco,
representing Union. In each point of the star is the insignia of the
various branches of service -- the bugle for infantry, the crossed cannons for
artillery, the crossed muskets for marines, the crossed sabers for cavalry, and
the anchor for the sailors. Over the central groups are the words
"Grand Army of the Republic" and under "1861 -- Veterans --
1866" commemorating the commencement and close of the rebellion and also
the date of organization of the Order.
THE REVERSE SIDE represents a branch of
laurel, the crown and reward of the brave, in each point of the star. The
National Shield is in the center, surrounded by the twenty-four recognized Corps
Badges, numerically arranged, each on a keystone and all linked together,
showing they are united and will guard and protect the shield of the
nation. Around the center is a circle of stars representing the states of
the union comrpising the Grand Army of the Republic.
THE CLASP is comprised of the figure of
an eagle with crossed cannons and ammunition, representing defense; the eagle
with drawn sword hovering over and always ready to protect from insults or
dishonor; the National Flag, which is also the emblem and ribbon of the Order.
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The standard membership badge of the Grand Army of the Republic
http://suvcw.org/gar50.htm
This is the badge and the final design used by the G.A.R. and produced by the millions and presented to all members upon induction into the order.
Below is an explanation of how the badge developed, and was struck from captured Confederate cannon. This bronze was issued to the G.A.R. by the War
Department as needed. The badges were supplied by the National Quartermaster to the individual Posts and only presented to members in good standing
who had proved their honorable service in the Union forces in the Civil War. There is no specific number to trace on the badge. It will be almost
impossible to match an indivdual badge to a certain member.
If the following is supplied as information on the veteran:
full name - full unit – state - etc.
Status could possibly be established.
The Grand Army Badge
The badge is of bronze, made from cannons captured in battle during the Civil War, and is in a form of a five-pointed star, similar in design to the
two hundred Medals of Honor, authorized by an act of Congress to be given to the soldiers and sailors most distinguished for meritorious and gallant
conduct during the Civil War.
THE OBVERSE -- in the center of the badge is the figure of the goddess of liberty, representing loyalty. On either side, a soldier and a sailor
clasping hands, representing fraternity, and two children receiving benediction and assurance of protection from the comrades, representing charity.
On each side of the group is the National Flag and the Eagle, representing freedom; and the axe, or bundle of rods, or fasco, representing Union.
In each point of the star is the insignia of the various branches of service -- the bugle for infantry, the crossed cannons for artillery, the crossed
muskets for marines, the crossed sabers for cavalry, and the anchor for the sailors. Over the central groups are the words "Grand Army of the
Republic" and under "1861 -- Veterans -- 1866" commemorating the commencement and close of the rebellion and also the date of organization of the Order.
THE REVERSE SIDE represents a branch of laurel, the crown and reward of the brave, in each point of the star. The National Shield is in the center,
surrounded by the twenty-four recognized Corps Badges, numerically arranged, each on a keystone and all linked together, showing they are united and
will guard and protect the shield of the nation. Around the center is a circle of stars representing the states of the union comprising the Grand
Army of the Republic.
THE CLASP is comprised of the figure of an eagle with crossed cannons and ammunition, representing defense; the eagle with drawn sword hovering over
and always ready to protect from insults or dishonor; the National Flag, which is also the emblem and ribbon of the Order.
The first badge of the order was adopted in 1866. A change was made in October, 1868, in its design, and a further change in October, 1869. At the
national encampment of 1873, the badge was adopted which is substantially the one that exists to-day, a few minor changes being made in 1886. It is
now made from captured cannon purchased from the Government.
The bronze button worn on the lapel of the coat was adopted in 1884.
(John E. Gilman, Commander-In-Chief, Grand Army of the Republic, 1910)