Description
Beautiful 25mm eagle motif ID badge belonging to Merrill M. Hall of the 5th Vermont Volunteer Infantry. At 18 years of age, Merrill would muster with Company D of the 5th Vermont in September, 1861. The end of the year would see him sick in his quarters at Camp Griffin after the regiment was ordered to Washington to assist in the defense of the city. On April 2nd of 1862, the 5th Vermont would begin the march up the Peninsular. Three days later would begin the Siege of Yorktown followed by the Battle of Williamsburg. This would be the beginning of a long and arduous campaign for Merrill and the members of the 5th Vermont. Throughout 1862 they would see fighting at The Seven Days, Savage Station, White oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam and lastly Fredericksburg. At Savage Station the 5th Vermont would suffer the highest loss in killed and wounded of any regiment in any single action. Merrill had however been working as cook for the officers of the 5th Vermont since May of that year. It appears he would continue to do so at least until December of 1863 when he would re-enlist as a veteran volunteer near the end of the month. Following his re-enlistment he would rejoin the regiment and take part in the battles of 1864. The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek and a number more. The regiment would begin the 1864 campaign with 500 men. Within a month they had lost 349 men killed, wounded or missing. With the start of 1865, the Appomattox Campaign begin. The 5th Vermont would be the first regiment to plant it’s colors on the Confederate defensive works in front of Petersburg on April 2nd. Sailors Creek would follow and lastly Appomattox. In June they would be mustered out of service with a mere 288 men and 24 officers remaining. This example is stunning retaining almost 100% of the original gold gilt. Stamped on the reverse “M.M. HALL Co.D 5th REG VT. VOL. STOWE”. The 5th Vermont would become one of the “300 Fighting Regiments”. Wonderful tag from a very hard fought unit!
