Bidspirit auction | CIVIL WAR GAR 66TH ILLINOIS

CIVIL WAR GAR 66TH ILLINOIS REUNION RIBBON CO D 1888 - Civil War G.A.R. ribbon for the 5th annual reunion of Co. D, 66th Illinois Infantry, Western Sharpshooters. The reunion was held at Watervliet, Michigan on August 1 & 2. 1888. The ribbon measures 5.75” x 2.25” and is in very good condition with only two pin holes at the top where the veteran had pinned the ribbon to his jacket. The 66th Illinois Infantry was the Midwest's version of Berdan's Sharpshooters. The regiment was composed of recruits from Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and even one recruit from New York City. From the time of its inception until November 1861, the regiment was known as Birge's Western Sharpshooters after their Colonel Henry Birge. Upon his departure in late 1861 the regiment was designated as the 14th Missouri Infantry. It retained this designation until the late fall of 1862 when the regiment was turned over to the state of Illinois and was renamed the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In order to join, a recruit had to pass a difficult shooting test. The regiment was originally armed with Dimick rifles although many members eventually purchased and used Henry Rifles. '' In-house shipping is available. Pickup is Monday, April 29th from 11 am to 3 pm in Carroll, Ohio 43112 or we will provide in-house shipping for this item. Once packed up we will send you an invoice for shipping & handling. Shipping questions: shipping@burnsbid.com Sales tax will be collected on all bidders. If tax exempt, make sure your certification is submitted with Proxibid.