J. A. Garmen S-110Bb
The sutler of the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, J. A. Garman, was the most prolific sutler in the number of different denomination tokens issued. Sutler Garman’s tokens included the denominations 3c. 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c, and 100c.
These tokens were all of the same pattern and size, (18mm) which included on the reverse an attractive spread eagle with 13 stars, which was different than the plain or blank reverses of most sutler tokens. The token denominations were all separately applied, probably being struck by hand, with a number die. This arrangement gave sutler Garman the economy to order large quantities, without denomination, from his token supplier. Then he had the flexibility in the field to apply the denomination numeral as his needs required. A survey of the Schenkman catalog shows that about 15 different sutlers used this technique, surprisingly 5 of whom would issue only a single denomination.
The 54th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was typical of the many regiments formed in 1861 with patriotic citizen volunteer soldiers. The 54th was organized during August - September 1861 at the rendezvous Camp Curtin at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The raw regiment remained at Camp Curtin until February 1862 as the recruits were molded into citizen- soldiers. Their first move away from Pennsylvania was to become a part of the massive defenses developing around the nation’s capitol. Subsequently they would be assigned as part of the commands dispersed for the defense of the rugged terrain and vital rail line of western Virginia. This would involve skirmishes and minor engagements against Southern forces in the region which would become West Virginia. These assignments of a training arxl defensive naturie since August 1861 should have been an ideal environment for a sutler’s business. Sutler J. A. Garman undoubtedly joined the regiment during this early period arxl accommodated his soldier customers by providing the necessary tokens for their convenience.
The sutler of the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, J. A. Garman, was the most prolific sutler in the number of different denomination tokens issued. Sutler Garman’s tokens included the denominations 3c. 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c, and 100c.
These tokens were all of the same pattern and size, (18mm) which included on the reverse an attractive spread eagle with 13 stars, which was different than the plain or blank reverses of most sutler tokens. The token denominations were all separately applied, probably being struck by hand, with a number die. This arrangement gave sutler Garman the economy to order large quantities, without denomination, from his token supplier. Then he had the flexibility in the field to apply the denomination numeral as his needs required. A survey of the Schenkman catalog shows that about 15 different sutlers used this technique, surprisingly 5 of whom would issue only a single denomination.
The 54th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was typical of the many regiments formed in 1861 with patriotic citizen volunteer soldiers. The 54th was organized during August - September 1861 at the rendezvous Camp Curtin at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The raw regiment remained at Camp Curtin until February 1862 as the recruits were molded into citizen- soldiers. Their first move away from Pennsylvania was to become a part of the massive defenses developing around the nation’s capitol. Subsequently they would be assigned as part of the commands dispersed for the defense of the rugged terrain and vital rail line of western Virginia. This would involve skirmishes and minor engagements against Southern forces in the region which would become West Virginia. These assignments of a training arxl defensive naturie since August 1861 should have been an ideal environment for a sutler’s business. Sutler J. A. Garman undoubtedly joined the regiment during this early period arxl accommodated his soldier customers by providing the necessary tokens for their convenience.
