Big button ID ?

[Mark kus]

Never seen or found one like this anyone have any idea? There is a design on it if you look closely I just dug it last week
Thanks

 

[JCR TX]

That's as nice a Tombac button as anyone would ever find, but the others are the ones I like the best, especially the script I.

 

[Odanscoils]

Very nice saves.

 

[Mark kus]

Thanks being in Ct I was surprised to find the script I button but just heard the big one could be very collectible and valuable

 

[floodplaindetector]

Cool old buttons Mark!

 

[fwcrawford]

I agree on the Tombac button… nice find!!
The “I” button is not a script, but a “block” I (Infantry) button.
It is also a Confederates button!!
Can you make out a backmark on it?
The Eagle button with gilt is a nice find too and looks Civil war era from what I can see.
The other Eagle button looks like a revolutionary war era or war of 1812 button to me.
All very nice finds Mark!!

 

[JimmyCT]

Wow! Super score on some great buttons!

 

[Mark kus]

I agree on the Tombac button… nice find!!
The “I” button is not a script, but a “block” I (Infantry) button.
It is also a Confederates button!!
Can you make out a backmark on it?
The Eagle button with gilt is a nice find too and looks Civil war era from what I can see.
The other Eagle button looks like a revolutionary war era or war of 1812 button to me.
All very nice finds Mark!!

thanks It has no markings that I can see on the Block I ,I also found a Kentish guard which were GW hand picked elite guard.
Revolutionary War

The Kentish Guards were formed on September 24, 1774 to protect the Town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island from Tory attack. They were chartered by the Colonial Assembly on October 29, 1774 as an "elite militia," taking extra responsibility for their own training and equipment. Using the Kent County Court House as their armory, the Kentish Guards were present when the Rhode Island Navy was enacted there in 1775. They built Fort Daniel at the entrance to Greenwich Cove in Cowesett, equipped it with nine cannons, and garrisoned it throughout the Revolution., protecting Warwick Bay from naval attack.

The Guards were also present at the formation of the Continental Army during the Siege of Boston in 1775, where General Washington noticed how exceedingly well the Kentish Guards were trained, equipped, and disciplined. Thirty-five members of the Guards were subsequently to serve as officers in the Continental Army, foremost among them Major General Nathanael Greene, the "Savior of the South" who, by the end of the war, was second only to Washington.

Initially the Guards rotated state duty with other militia companies; but with the British invasion of Newport in 1776, they were on continuous duty from May 1, 1776 to June 1, 1781. They patrolled Warwick Neck, Prudence Island, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport. In the summer of 1776 the Guards recaptured a ship previously seized by the British Navy. During this engagement they suffered their only casualty; Edward Pearce was shot in the arm and the arm had to be amputated. Always keeping a detachment at Fort Daniel, they were the sole defenders of East Greenwich in 1777 and 1778, and countered several attacks launched on Potowomut and Warwick Neck (to the East), and Quidnessett and Wickford (to the South).

In August 1778 Kentish Guards Commander, Colonel Richard Fry, took command of a regiment of Independent Militia Companies at the Battle of Rhode Island in Portsmouth and Middletown. During the summer of 1779, twenty-six Guardsmen launched a surprise attack on Conanicut Island (Jamestown), destroying a British artillery battery. In November, after the British evacuated Newport, the Guards were ordered to guard duty at Sachuest (Second) Beach to help prevent a British return.

The Guards were again ordered to Newport in 1780 and 1781 to reinforce the travel-weakened French Army, and were present in Newport during General Washington's visit there. After the war, the Kentish Guards continued to provide local defense when many other militia companies were disbanded or became volunteer fire departments. During this period, even the United States Army and Navy were temporary disbanded.

War of 1812

In 1807 all of the officers of the Kentish Guards were court-marshaled. The commander, Colonel David Pinnegar, was ordered to select six Guardsmen to be drafted for federal service; Colonel Pinnegar believed that the Kentish Guards Charter allowed for the call up of the whole unit for state duty, but not for drafting individual members for federal service. Colonel Pinnegar and all the other line officers were removed from office without any further penalty in a politically controversial trial. But the Guards continued under new officers. They served guard duty at the old Fort Adams in Newport during the War of 1812.

The Dorr Rebellion

In 1842 a state constitutional crisis brought about the existence of two rival state governments, one operating under the charter granted by Charles II in 1663, and the other, a reform government led by Thomas Dorr. Both parties sought to avoid conflict, but Dorrite hotheads attempting to seize a state armory in Providence sparked a confrontation on May 17th. The "Charter Government" called out the militia, ending the rebellion in a bloodless battle the following day in Providence. The Kentish Guards received the call to arms personally from Adjutant General Elisha Dyer, who had disguised himself and gone to East Greenwich in a wagon during the night. The train that was to transport them to Providence had been interdicted by the Dorrites, so the Guards marched to Providence. Missing the initial battle, they were then called to quell a dangerous riot in Pawtucket on June 27th, which turned out to be the bloodiest and most difficult engagement of the Dorr War. Here Kentish Guards Commander, Colonel George Allen, took charge of six militia companies besides the Guards, halting a mob preparing to attack Pawtucket and restoring order (picture the recent movie, Gangs of New York). In gratitude for their services, the state gave the Guards a grant of one thousand dollars, with which they built their current armory on the corner of Peirce and Armory Streets in East Greenwich in 1843.

The Civil War

During the Civil War, the Kentish Guards enlisted as Company "H" of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers on 5 June 1861. They saw extensive service in the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia with the Army of the Potomac and fought in 14 major battles of the Civil War. The 2nd Rhode Island distinguished itself covering the retreat of the Union Army at the First Battle of Bull Run, one of only three regiments to hold their ground in this battle, and again in the Battle of the Wilderness, being the last unit out. The 2nd Rhode Island was a primary focus of the television series by Ken Burns on the Civil War based on the memoirs of Elisha Hunt Rhodes. The Kentish Guards also recruited and supplied the officers for Company "H" 7th Rhode Island Volunteers on 22 May 1862 and saw service with the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Ohio. LEARN MORE

Spanish-American War

The Guards were last on alert during the Spanish-American War when the Spanish Navy menaced the East Coast of the United States. At the turn of the Twentieth Century they declined the offer to joint the National Guard system then being formed. The Kentish Guards chose to continue under their old charter under which they elect their own officers and have control of their own affairs.

Present Day

Kentish Guardsmen have since participated in all the major wars of the twentieth century in federal service. They continue under their charter and the laws of the state of Rhode Island, and are subject to its good regulation, including inspection by the Adjutant General and the command of the Governor. On call for local emergencies, Guardsmen patrolled the hurricane-damaged waterfront in 1956, and controlled traffic during the town's tercentennial in 1977. They were most recently activated by the Governor in 1994 for ceremonial duties connected with the commissioning of the USS Rhode Island.

The Kentish Guards participate in the annual state-run cannon and musket qualification and competition that is held for all the historic militia companies. They are often called upon on by state, civic, and educational organizations for patriotic, historical, educational, and ceremonial duties.

Fife and Drum Corps

In 1774 the Kentish Guards had two fifers and two drummers, appropriate for a company-sized organization. They had a military band from 1937 to 1977, which in its day was one of the premier musical organizations in the state. In 1966 they organized a regimental-sized fife and drum corps. The Fife and Drum Corps continues as one of the leading corps in the nation.

Kentish Guards Uniform

The 1774 uniform of the Guards was a red coat with green facings and silver trim, with a white vest and pants styled after the English military model. At the beginning of the Revolution Rhode Island, having a locally elected charter government, was wealthy (from smuggling). As a result, Rhode Island's militia could afford to be fully uniformed, unlike the Minutemen of Massachusetts who were oppressed by the Royal Governor. Since then, the Guards have worn a succession of military uniforms based on the styles of the day.

The current parade uniform is based on the uniform worn by the Guards between the 1790's and just before the War of 1812. It is a dark blue coat with red lapels and white trim, with white false-turnbacks on the coat tails. The vest is white, the pants a dark blue with red piping, as are the leggings. A bear fur crested light infantry helmet is worn by the militia company. The Fife and Drum Corps wears the same uniform except for black "bicorn" hats with black cockades fasted by a brass "KG" button. These would have been appropriate for the period.

Company Flag

The Kentish Guards company flag has a white field, which represents Rhode Island. The canton in the upper left corner is red with a federal eagle, sixteen stars and stripes, and the Rhode Island anchor. It was adopted between 1796 and 1803.

 

[fwcrawford]

When you get time, send a shot of the back of that I button Mark…

 

[fwcrawford]

thanks It has no markings that I can see on the Block I ,I also found a Kentish guard which were GW hand picked elite guard.
Revolutionary War

The Kentish Guards were formed on September 24, 1774 to protect the Town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island from Tory attack. They were chartered by the Colonial Assembly on October 29, 1774 as an "elite militia," taking extra responsibility for their own training and equipment. Using the Kent County Court House as their armory, the Kentish Guards were present when the Rhode Island Navy was enacted there in 1775. They built Fort Daniel at the entrance to Greenwich Cove in Cowesett, equipped it with nine cannons, and garrisoned it throughout the Revolution., protecting Warwick Bay from naval attack.

The Guards were also present at the formation of the Continental Army during the Siege of Boston in 1775, where General Washington noticed how exceedingly well the Kentish Guards were trained, equipped, and disciplined. Thirty-five members of the Guards were subsequently to serve as officers in the Continental Army, foremost among them Major General Nathanael Greene, the "Savior of the South" who, by the end of the war, was second only to Washington.

Initially the Guards rotated state duty with other militia companies; but with the British invasion of Newport in 1776, they were on continuous duty from May 1, 1776 to June 1, 1781. They patrolled Warwick Neck, Prudence Island, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport. In the summer of 1776 the Guards recaptured a ship previously seized by the British Navy. During this engagement they suffered their only casualty; Edward Pearce was shot in the arm and the arm had to be amputated. Always keeping a detachment at Fort Daniel, they were the sole defenders of East Greenwich in 1777 and 1778, and countered several attacks launched on Potowomut and Warwick Neck (to the East), and Quidnessett and Wickford (to the South).

In August 1778 Kentish Guards Commander, Colonel Richard Fry, took command of a regiment of Independent Militia Companies at the Battle of Rhode Island in Portsmouth and Middletown. During the summer of 1779, twenty-six Guardsmen launched a surprise attack on Conanicut Island (Jamestown), destroying a British artillery battery. In November, after the British evacuated Newport, the Guards were ordered to guard duty at Sachuest (Second) Beach to help prevent a British return.

The Guards were again ordered to Newport in 1780 and 1781 to reinforce the travel-weakened French Army, and were present in Newport during General Washington's visit there. After the war, the Kentish Guards continued to provide local defense when many other militia companies were disbanded or became volunteer fire departments. During this period, even the United States Army and Navy were temporary disbanded.

War of 1812

In 1807 all of the officers of the Kentish Guards were court-marshaled. The commander, Colonel David Pinnegar, was ordered to select six Guardsmen to be drafted for federal service; Colonel Pinnegar believed that the Kentish Guards Charter allowed for the call up of the whole unit for state duty, but not for drafting individual members for federal service. Colonel Pinnegar and all the other line officers were removed from office without any further penalty in a politically controversial trial. But the Guards continued under new officers. They served guard duty at the old Fort Adams in Newport during the War of 1812.

The Dorr Rebellion

In 1842 a state constitutional crisis brought about the existence of two rival state governments, one operating under the charter granted by Charles II in 1663, and the other, a reform government led by Thomas Dorr. Both parties sought to avoid conflict, but Dorrite hotheads attempting to seize a state armory in Providence sparked a confrontation on May 17th. The "Charter Government" called out the militia, ending the rebellion in a bloodless battle the following day in Providence. The Kentish Guards received the call to arms personally from Adjutant General Elisha Dyer, who had disguised himself and gone to East Greenwich in a wagon during the night. The train that was to transport them to Providence had been interdicted by the Dorrites, so the Guards marched to Providence. Missing the initial battle, they were then called to quell a dangerous riot in Pawtucket on June 27th, which turned out to be the bloodiest and most difficult engagement of the Dorr War. Here Kentish Guards Commander, Colonel George Allen, took charge of six militia companies besides the Guards, halting a mob preparing to attack Pawtucket and restoring order (picture the recent movie, Gangs of New York). In gratitude for their services, the state gave the Guards a grant of one thousand dollars, with which they built their current armory on the corner of Peirce and Armory Streets in East Greenwich in 1843.

The Civil War

During the Civil War, the Kentish Guards enlisted as Company "H" of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers on 5 June 1861. They saw extensive service in the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia with the Army of the Potomac and fought in 14 major battles of the Civil War. The 2nd Rhode Island distinguished itself covering the retreat of the Union Army at the First Battle of Bull Run, one of only three regiments to hold their ground in this battle, and again in the Battle of the Wilderness, being the last unit out. The 2nd Rhode Island was a primary focus of the television series by Ken Burns on the Civil War based on the memoirs of Elisha Hunt Rhodes. The Kentish Guards also recruited and supplied the officers for Company "H" 7th Rhode Island Volunteers on 22 May 1862 and saw service with the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Ohio. LEARN MORE

Spanish-American War

The Guards were last on alert during the Spanish-American War when the Spanish Navy menaced the East Coast of the United States. At the turn of the Twentieth Century they declined the offer to joint the National Guard system then being formed. The Kentish Guards chose to continue under their old charter under which they elect their own officers and have control of their own affairs.

Present Day

Kentish Guardsmen have since participated in all the major wars of the twentieth century in federal service. They continue under their charter and the laws of the state of Rhode Island, and are subject to its good regulation, including inspection by the Adjutant General and the command of the Governor. On call for local emergencies, Guardsmen patrolled the hurricane-damaged waterfront in 1956, and controlled traffic during the town's tercentennial in 1977. They were most recently activated by the Governor in 1994 for ceremonial duties connected with the commissioning of the USS Rhode Island.

The Kentish Guards participate in the annual state-run cannon and musket qualification and competition that is held for all the historic militia companies. They are often called upon on by state, civic, and educational organizations for patriotic, historical, educational, and ceremonial duties.

Fife and Drum Corps

In 1774 the Kentish Guards had two fifers and two drummers, appropriate for a company-sized organization. They had a military band from 1937 to 1977, which in its day was one of the premier musical organizations in the state. In 1966 they organized a regimental-sized fife and drum corps. The Fife and Drum Corps continues as one of the leading corps in the nation.

Kentish Guards Uniform

The 1774 uniform of the Guards was a red coat with green facings and silver trim, with a white vest and pants styled after the English military model. At the beginning of the Revolution Rhode Island, having a locally elected charter government, was wealthy (from smuggling). As a result, Rhode Island's militia could afford to be fully uniformed, unlike the Minutemen of Massachusetts who were oppressed by the Royal Governor. Since then, the Guards have worn a succession of military uniforms based on the styles of the day.

The current parade uniform is based on the uniform worn by the Guards between the 1790's and just before the War of 1812. It is a dark blue coat with red lapels and white trim, with white false-turnbacks on the coat tails. The vest is white, the pants a dark blue with red piping, as are the leggings. A bear fur crested light infantry helmet is worn by the militia company. The Fife and Drum Corps wears the same uniform except for black "bicorn" hats with black cockades fasted by a brass "KG" button. These would have been appropriate for the period.

Company Flag

The Kentish Guards company flag has a white field, which represents Rhode Island. The canton in the upper left corner is red with a federal eagle, sixteen stars and stripes, and the Rhode Island anchor. It was adopted between 1796 and 1803.

Is this the button at the top of the photo?

 

[laplander]

Thats the biggest "nipple" tombac button I have ever seen.
HH Jeff

 

[Confetrit]

Great Saves on some very nice buttons. My favorite button would be the Confetrit' Block I Infantry button. This button has eluded me through the years. It is one of my favorite of all CW Era buttons. Well Done. These will look great in your display.

 

[Mark kus]

Is this the button at the top of the photo?

No I have it in my display case

When you get time, send a shot of the back of that I button Mark…

will do

 

[Mark kus]

Here’s a photo of the back

 

[fwcrawford]

Here’s a photo of the back

Thanks Mark… that button is in great condition!
I have some I have found with no back mark also.
Yours looks like example 182…

 

[laplander]

Thanks Mark… that button is in great condition!
I have some I have found with no back mark also.
Yours looks like example 182…
View attachment 51314

Love the "locals"

 

[SJones]

Amazing finds! On my bucket list.