“War of 1861” Scarce Civil War Union Army Dog Tag, Struck in White Metal, Design 4C Type With Boston Text on the Loop, with Freemason's Square and Compasses, measuring about 1" in diameter with attached top loop, for A. C. (Allen Clay) McGrath of Company D of the 126th Pennsylvania Infantry, a Scout Captured at Gettysburg, Very Fine.
This Dog Tag's reverse is decorated with a laurel wreath around its edge and an engraving that states McGrath participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg. Of additional note are the Freemason's Square and Compasses engraved on both sides symbolizing McGrath's Membership in the Masonic Order. There is a trivial faint hairline scratch on the edge and some light even wear on both sides to this pleasing well defined example.

Allen Clay McGrath enlisted on August 12, 1862. He was a private in Company D, 126th PA infantry, and was promoted to Corporal four days after his muster. The 126th was held in reserve at Antietam, and charged Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg. On February 12, 1863, he was discharged due to chronic illness. During the Gettysburg Campaign, his pension records indicate that he was taken Prisoner by Confederate forces while acting as a Scout near Hagerstown, Maryland. He was sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, VA, before being consigned to a military prison in Salisbury, North Carolina. He was released on May 17, 1865.

After McGrath's discharge, the 126th Pennsylvania went on to participate in the Chancellorsville Campaign and Battle of Chancellorsville from April 27 to May 6 of 1863 . They were mustered out on May 20, 1865. The regiment lost 1 Officer and 30 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 34 Enlisted men by disease for a total of 65 by the Civil War's end. Provenance: courtesy of the U.S. Army Pension Records, Act of June 27, 1890. Additional copied information on this soldier will accompany the item.