COA 54th volenteer Regiment Massachusetts F.F. Potter silver civil war

Smilodon

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Wow, I thought I have seen everything until this popped out. We had a couple and found more buttons and civil war items, then at first we though it was Spanish silver until we were able to clean and put our glasses on. I wish it was me finding this item but I am so happy for my friend. I was happy to just be there when it was found.
As always any input you can add to this would be greatly appreciated. It is the size of a quarter and I wonder where and how it was attached.
 

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Southern loyalist

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Jun 6, 2011
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GREAT FIND!!! I'm not an expert on the 54th, and the use of a Naval motif for an infantry ID is interesting, but this could be your man:
Potter, Franklin
Age at enlistment: 26
Enlistment date: 15 Mar 1863
Residence at enlistment: New York, NY
Profession at enlistment: laborer (alt.: teamster)
Rank in: private
Rank out: private
Company: A
Fate at Ft. Wagner: wounded 18 Jul 1863 at Ft. Wagner
Mustered-out date: 20 Aug 1865
 

Calabash Digger

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wow!!!!!!!!!!
 

NZ49er

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A silver ID badge and from a famous coloured regiment at that! Can't get any more special. This is probably the coolest thing I've seen posted here this year!!!
 

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Outstanding recovery! :notworthy:
 

OP
OP
Smilodon

Smilodon

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Wow thanks for the information, I would love to be able to track down any of his decendants and let this artifact end up in their hands
 

devldog

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Great save on a very personal piece of our CW History. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was the U.S. Colored regiment that was featured in the movie "Glory" starring Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick.
 

NZ49er

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Wow thanks for the information, I would love to be able to track down any of his decendants and let this artifact end up in their hands

These folks might be able to track down any descendants. I'm sure they'd love to hear about this find! Massachusetts 54th Company A
 

hogge

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WOW!!! That's AWESOME! Would be banner find if it was yours.
 

JeffInMass

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That's an amazing piece of history- thanks for posting!
 

xr7ator

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That item screams COOLNESS. Grats to your friend on one awesome digger.
 

RVRoamer73

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Awesome!!:occasion14: Super cool piece of history. Thanks for sharing.
 

MCollett

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Amazing find. I have seen another 54th ID badge for Co H and it was an Iron Cross. I hope you find the info of the person it belonged to and do some research on him.
 

MCollett

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GREAT FIND!!! I'm not an expert on the 54th, and the use of a Naval motif for an infantry ID is interesting, but this could be your man:
Potter, Franklin
Age at enlistment: 26
Enlistment date: 15 Mar 1863
Residence at enlistment: New York, NY
Profession at enlistment: laborer (alt.: teamster)
Rank in: private
Rank out: private
Company: A
Fate at Ft. Wagner: wounded 18 Jul 1863 at Ft. Wagner
Mustered-out date: 20 Aug 1865

I think you are absolutely right about this ID. He was the only F Potter in the 54th Co A. Looks like he enlisted with maybe his brothers as well. Pretty cool.
 

pepperj

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Great piece of recovered history. Best of luck on the return.
 

The Aluminum Monster

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That is absolutely incredible. Amazing piece of our history!
 

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