American Military Insignia 1800-1851 Part 7

_USNM 60372-M (S-K 128). Not ill.u.s.trated._

This eagle is struck from the same die as the preceding specimen, but it is in white metal rather than bra.s.s.

c.o.c.kADE EAGLE, C. 1821

_USNM 60367-M (S-K 123). Figure 34._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 34]

Of silver on copper, this eagle is similar to the two preceding specimens, but is struck from a variant die. It possibly was worn by the Militia.

c.o.c.kADE EAGLE, INFANTRY, C. 1821

_USNM 60373-M (S-K 130). Figure 35._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 35]

This specimen is very similar to those above, but it has 13 stars in the shield on the eagle's breast.

-- Despite the fact that it was found attached to a shako of distinct Militia origin, the cap plate shown in figure 36 is believed to be that prescribed for the cadets of the Military Academy in the 1821 uniform regulations and described as "yellow plate, diamond shape."

The letters "U S M A" in the angles of the diamond, the word "CADET"

at the top of the oval, what appears to be the designation "W POINT"

at the left top of the map, and the tools of instruction (so similar to those embellishing the cadet diploma, although totally different in rendering), make it difficult to a.s.sign this plate to any source other than the Academy. It is possible, of course, that this was a manufacturer's sample which was never actually adopted for wear at West Point. The apparent maker's name, "CASAD," at the bottom of the oval, does not appear in the city directories of any of the larger manufacturing centers of the period.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 36.--Specimen in West Point Museum, West Point, New York.]

CAP INSIGNIA, 1832(?)

_USNM 60365-M (S-K 121). Figure 37._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 37]

Despite the facts that there was no change in cap insignia authorized in the 1832 uniform regulations and that this specimen is similar in most respects to the 1821 eagle, its refinement of design and manufacture indicates that it possibly belongs to the period of the 1830's and 1840's. It is struck in thin bra.s.s and has three plain wire fasteners soldered to the reverse.

CAP INSIGNIA, 1832(?)

_USNM 60366-M (S-K 122). Not ill.u.s.trated._

Although similar to the preceding plate, this specimen measures 3-1/4 by 2-1/4 inches, is struck from a different die, and has a much wider breast shield. Of somewhat heavier bra.s.s than most such similar eagles and exhibiting a well-developed patina, it may have been an officer's device.

CAP PLATE, DRAGOONS, 1833

_USNM 60276-M (S-K 34). Figure 38._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 38]

When the dragoons returned to the Army in 1833, their cap device was described as "a gilt star, silver eagle ... the star to be worn in front."[74] An 8-pointed, sunburst-type star, this plate is struck in bra.s.s and has a superimposed eagle that is struck in bra.s.s and silvered. The eagle is basically the Napoleonic type adopted by the British after the Battle of Waterloo and altered by omitting the lightning in the talons and adding a wreath to the breast. Plain wire fasteners are soldered to the back.

[Footnote 74: General Order No. 38, Headquarters of the Army, May 2, 1833. (Photostatic copy in files of division of military history, Smithsonian Inst.i.tution.)]

-- In 1834, possibly as a result of the newly organized dragoons receiving distinctive branch insignia, the infantry and artillery once again were authorized devices on the dress cap designating their particular arm. The gilt eagle was retained. Below the eagle was an open horn with cords and ta.s.sels in silver for infantry, and cross cannons in "gilt" for artillery. The number of the regiment was added over the cannon or within the curve of the horn. These devices remained in use until the change in headgear in 1851.

CAP INSIGNIA, INFANTRY, 1834-1851

_USNM 62055-M, 62056-M (SK-1808, 1809). Figure 39._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 39]

This eagle is similar to the 1821 pattern, although somewhat more compact in design. It is struck in bra.s.s, has wings upraised, head to the right, shield on breast, olive branch in right talon, and three arrows in left talon. The open horn, struck in bra.s.s and silvered, is suspended, with bell to the right, by four twisted cords tied in a 3-leaf-clover knot; the ta.s.sels on the four cord-ends hang below.

CAP INSIGNIA, ARTILLERY, 1834-1851

_USNM 60426-M (S-K 182). Figure 40._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 40]

This is the "gilt ... cross cannons" device prescribed for artillery in the 1834 regulations. Struck in sheet bra.s.s of medium thickness, the superimposed cannon has trunnions and dolphins.

FORAGE CAP STAR, DRAGOON OFFICER, C. 1840

_USNM 604967-M (S-K 1111). Figure 41._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 41]

Although uniform regulations for the period of the 1830's and 1840's make no mention of a distinctive device for the dragoon forage cap, photographs in the National Archives show that officers' caps, at least, carried a 6-pointed star, apparently gold-embroidered.[75] This specimen is believed to be such a star. Made of gold bullion and with rather large sequins sewed onto a heavy paper background, the star is mounted on dark blue wool. The points of the star are extended with gold embroidery on the cloth.

[Footnote 75: TOWNSEND AND TODD, pp. 1-2.]

CAP INSIGNIA. CADET'S, U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY, 1842, AND ENGINEER SOLDIERS, 1846

_USNM 604529 (S-K 676) Figure 42._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 42]

In 1839 the cadets at the Military Academy discarded the bell-crowned caps they had worn since 1821 and wore a cylindrical black shako similar to that worn by the Regular artillery and infantry. The artillery gilt eagle and crossed cannon replaced the diamond-shaped plate on the front. In 1842-1843 the crossed cannon were replaced by the engineer castle as more in keeping with the original mission of the Academy and the general orientation of its curriculum.

Shortly after the beginning of hostilities with Mexico in 1846, the Congress authorized the enlistment of a company of "engineer soldiers"

that was designated the Company of Sappers, Miners, and Pontoniers.