I'm not real familiar with military buttons, and would like to get an ID on this one. It came out of the ground black. All I did was rinse it with water to get the dirt off and put a coat of preservative on it. I think it might be pre Civil War, but not sure. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
It is a US Army "general service" button for Enlisted-men (sergeant, corporal, private), made of stamped sheetbrass. The specific version you found was manufactured between 1854 and 1875.