[CIVIL WAR]. Barney Shanker, 26th Kentucky Infantry ID badge.
Approx. 1 x 1 1/8 in. engraved silver badge (some tarnish); T-bar pin affixed to reverse; with contemporary green paper-covered box (wear to extremities). Badge engraved: "B. Shanker / Co. B / 26 Ky. V.I. / War of 1861." Housed in box stamped: "Frank Curtis Co. / Jewelers & Opticians / Decatur, Ill." This jeweler was in operation after the war, so the box may not be original to the badge.
Barney Shanker enlisted on 30 October 1861 at Nashville, TN as a private and was mustered into Company F of the 26th Kentucky Infantry on 5 March 1862. His regiment saw heavy fighting at Shiloh and participated in the Battles of Corinth and Perryville. He re-enlisted on 27 January 1864 and was transferred to Company B on 1 April 1864, dating this badge from between April 1864 and 10 July 1865 when he mustered out at Salisbury, NC. After re-enlistment, they became a mounted unit participated in the charge on Hood's Army in the Battle of Nashville and served in the protection of Kentucky.
The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann