Civil War Union Soldier’s Brass Eagle Identification Disc “Dog Tag” belonging to Private George L. Ormond of Company D, 57th Regiment of New York Infantry, also known as the “National Guard Rifles”, Extremely Fine.
This pleasing Identification “Dog Tag”, measuring about 1” across, features the Eagle design on its face commonly seen among similar discs belonging to soldiers from New York. The design with an Heraldic American Eagle holding its wings spread, sporting a 13-Striped Union Shield on its chest, clutching an olive branch and a set of arrows with its feet, having minimal patina on face. The text legend, “War of 1861 - United States” are set in relief around its rim. The reverse is stamped, “George W. Ormond - Co. D. - 57 Reg. - N.Y.S.V. - N.Y. City”, indicating that Private Ormond belonged to Company D of the 57th New York Infantry Regiment, which was also known informally as the “National Guard Rifles” and the “United States Voltigeurs”. George Ormond mustered into the 57th New York at age 18 on September 24, 1861. He remained on the regiment’s rolls for his entire term of service, being promoted to Corporal from the ranks on May 1, 1864. He mustered out on September 13, 1864, and returned to live with his wife and children in New York City.

The 57th Regiment of New York Infantry mustered into service from August 12 to November 19, 1861. They were attached to the Army of the Potomac in March 1862 and saw service in McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign, assisting with the Siege of Yorktown, the Battle of Fair Oaks, the Seven Days Fighting before Richmond, Battles of Gaines Mill, Peach Orchard and Savage Station. They assisted in covering Pope’s Retreat to Washington in August of that year, then participated in the Maryland Campaign and the Battle of Antietam. After a few months, the Army of the Potomac ventured back into Virginia, leading the 57th into battle at Fredericksburg that December, Chancellorsville in May of 1863, then the Gettysburg Campaign from June 11 to July 24.

Their engagements continued during the Bristoe Campaign, the Mine Run Campaign, the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Assault on the Salient, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, Deep Bottom and Ream’s Station. The regiment mustered out by companies over several months in late 1864, with the remaining veterans and new recruits transferring to the 61st Regiment of New York Infantry on December 6, 1864. The 57th lost during service 8 officers and 95 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 officer and 90 enlisted men to disease, for a total of 194. Accompanied with a packet of additional research information.

References: Identification Discs of Union Soldiers in the Civil War by Larry B. Maier and Joseph W. Stahl; New York in the War of Rebellion, 3rd Ed. by Frederick Phisterer; United States Department of the Interior Pension Records, 1874-1899; National Park Service.

[Civil War, Union Army, New York] [Battle of Antietam, Battle of Gettysburg, Siege of Petersburg] [Identification Discs, Militaria, Numismatics]