An outstanding, textbook example of a Civil War Union IV Corps, 1st Division veteran's badge. This beautifully crafted badge features the distinctive triangular IV Corps design with a rich red velvet center, signifying service in the 1st Division. The finely engraved border is enhanced with exceptional hand-executed stippling, giving the piece remarkable depth and visual appeal. The crisp engraving and quality workmanship reflect the pride with which Union veterans wore their corps insignia both during the war and at postwar reunions. The badge retains an attractive, untouched appearance and is an excellent representative example of one of the most recognizable corps badges of the Army of the Cumberland.
Historical Background
The IV Corps was organized in October 1862 as part of the Army of the Cumberland and earned an outstanding combat reputation in the Western Theater. The 1st Division served with distinction in many of the war's most significant campaigns, including the battles of Stones River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign, and the Nashville Campaign. Throughout these hard-fought operations, the division demonstrated exceptional discipline and resilience. Veterans proudly wore their corps badges as symbols of their service and sacrifice, making original examples highly desirable and historically significant artifacts of the American Civil War.