Civil War Union Soldier ID Badge

[USCGD]

John C. Salsich was born in 1838 in Western New York. In 1861, at 23 years of age, John traveled to Rochester, NY and enlisted in the Union army. He was assigned to Company K, 13th regiment of the New York State Volunteers.
Rising to the rank of sergeant, John served until May of 1863, and then settled in South Bristol, NY.
He died in 1926 and is buried in Rose Ridge Cemetary, Naples, NY.

The American Civil War may well have been the first major conflict in which soldiers felt the need to wear some sort of a personal identification badge in the event that they were killed or wounded in battle. A great apprehension among soldiers was “the nameless grave,” the fear that loved ones might not recover their remains or learn what had become of them. John would have paid to have a jeweler hand etch this beautiful tag.
I found John's identification tag today while metal detecting a corn field. I will never know how it ended up in the middle of a field hours away from where John lived, but I am thrilled that I recovered it and got to learn about this American hero.

 

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[USCGD]

I just checked also, he's mentioned here too: https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/mil_pension/?name=_Solcich

I saw that site, but don't have a membership to Ancenstry, so wasn't able to see the info. The location was a home site on an 1855 map. I also found a very slick 1770s-1780s 2-reale there, so the home was likely there long before 1855.

 

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[igloo777]

I have been very curious, but don't know of any way to look into that. The map I found the home site on is from 1855, and none of the names in the vicinity are Salsich.

Aside from maps, you'd have to do some deed research. It's not easy if you haven't done it before, but some counties do have deeds online now, as opposed to doing it in person at the courthouse. Could be worth a shot if you've got the time and desire to follow the ownership trail.

 

[Glen's Loyalists]

Now that is a top drawer find!

 

[GaRebel1861]

I'm surprised this hasn't been put up top yet to make a trip across the banner. Good luck! It's a heck of a find for sure.

 

[metalman2024]

Congratulations on the amazing recovery.
Certainly banner worthy for sure.
Not often can a person add Providence to the recovery.

I'd certainly take a bit of time to fully research the different methods of straightening silver.
The small tear on the left needs to be inspected closer. Just to make sure that there's o cracks.
Some good jewelers will anneal the silver before straightening.

Here's a video about getting a hammered silver straight.

As the above video suggests in a way, the next time one might think their find is aluminum or pop-can trash, take another look or save for further scrutiny as it might be an ancient coin that is bent, as a matter of fact I found something to that effect on Dec.02, '24 and nearly chucked it but gladly kept it, I mean to post that find and others hopefully soon.