This is an excavated New York Excelsior militia staff coat button from the Civil War period. The button is of a two piece design and appears to be back marked EXTRA QUALITY and measures 22.00 mm. The majority of the gilt is missing from this button, what remains in around the edge of the button. The shank is still reporting for duty, but is leaning to the side. This is still a nice piece to complete your button collection, or maybe the final piece you need to complete your state of New York button collection. This button was recovered on private property in Craven County, North Carolina near the New Bern Battlefield. The Battle of New Bern was fought 14 March, 1862, near the city of New Bern, North Carolina. Approximately 11,000 Union soldiers under the command of Major General Ambrose Burnside, met a little over 5,500 Confederate soldiers under the command of Brigadier General Lawrence Branch near New Bern. This battle was a Union victory, as the center of the Confederate line was penetrated and many of the militia units present broke, causing a general retreat of the entire Confederate forces. Union casualties were approximately 471 wounded, killed or missing, while the Confederates suffered 578 casualties.

Item # AA2425