Because no identification tags were issued during
the Civil War, many soldiers devised their own means
to ensure that they would be identified if killed
in battle. Slips of paper or cloth with the soldier’s
name were pinned inside clothing; other times personal
belongings were marked. Two types of manufactured
identification were available for purchase. One,
marketed by Harper’s Weekly, was a pin of
gold or silver, which was inscribed with the individual’s
name and unit. The other, pictured here, was a medallion
made of lead or brass with a hole at the top so
that it might be worn around the neck. Medallions
could usually be purchased from sutlers who followed
the armies and sold “luxury” goods to
the soldiers.
This brass identification tag belonged to J.
H. Whitney, Company G, 13th New Hampshire Volunteers.
Whitney was mustered into service on August 9,
1862, in New Ipswich. He spent most of his three-year
enlistment as a brigade teamster, detached from
his regiment. Whitney was mustered out on June
21, 1865.
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