U.S.S.C Badges?

[22ndPvt.Smith]

Has anyone ever seen an example of one of the lapel badges worn by U.S Sanitary Commission agents? There are plenty of references within the "The Sanitary Commission Bulletin" but no description of them, only the ribbons worn by associates at the Sanitary Fairs.

My group has been active in the New England area for about a year now, and we're figuring that if we can find a description of the original badges, we easily distinguish ourselves from average civilian reenactors.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

The only Sanitary Commision insignia that I've seen with direct provenance is a hat badge made of gilt wire and embroidered with the letters SC, which is in the Historical Image Bank collection of items as well as the Union volume of "Echoes of Glory"

[BobWerner]

Patrick:

There were typically two types of badges worn by the Sanitary Commision in addition to the hat badge insignia that Ross noted; the first being of the usual "shield" style and the second being nothing more than a Sanitary Commission button with a pin attached to the back side of it. I'll attempt to post photos here if I can.


I hope this helps.

[22ndPvt.Smith]

Patrick:

There were typically two types of badges worn by the Sanitary Commision in addition to the hat badge insignia that Ross noted; the first being of the usual "shield" style and the second being nothing more than a Sanitary Commission button with a pin attached to the back side of it. I'll attempt to post photos here if I can.


I hope this helps.

Bob,

I've seen the button with a pin on the front before, but the silver shield is something new. I was able to find a similar pin that I've attached a photo of below. Apparently the attached cross was for special service to the USSC.

Thanks for your help!