Civil war regiment, company, state,infantry tags

[Mark Todd]

Dug these tags up in wooded area in central Illinois. Dug up the VOL.INF. first and the other three 15' away still hooked together. On the back of the upper tag you can see a whitish discoloration where a pin fastener was originally attached. It's obvious what the tags stand "for", what I would like to know is "who issued them", the military , the GAR? Some other civil war fraternal org., or are they more likely of some other source? Any knowledge about these tags will be appreciated! Thank you, and-happy dig'n to all!
Company A of the 55th regiment of Illinois was mustered from the town of Canton ( A.K.A. the Canton Rifles). Two of the volunteers on the roster list lived within a half mile of the property where I found the tags, two others lived within a mile of it. Thanks again for any info. .

 

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[duggap]

I think those come off the reunion badges.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Duggap is correct... those are segments of what is called a "Ladder-Badge," primarily made for yankee Veterans' Organizations (such as the Grand Army of the Republic) in the latter-1800s well-into the 1900s. Ones from Confederate veterans' groups also exist but are much scarcer than yankee ones.

I should mention, ladder-badges were also used by other groups, such as Fraternal organizations. I should also mention, ladder-badges are still being produced today, for various organizations.

For anybody here who doesn't already know:
A primary ID-characteristic of a ladder-badge segment is that it has two small holes at the ends of its sides, where small rings connected the segment to the one below it or above it. See the photo below, showing an intact yankee veterans' ladder-badge.

Here's a link to info and photos of other yankee veteran ladder-badges.
Yankee Ladder Badges - Civil War Units - VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS - U.S. Militaria Forum

 

[Mark Todd]

Thanks much for the info and the link guys!