Need help identifying a button!!!

[Xhunter911]

I dug at one of my favorite sites and came across this button, looks civil war can anyone identify it for me??
Thanks

 

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[CSA2K]

Federal general service. Def CW era

 

[SgtJim]

Nice civil war find, csa2k is right on the mark.

 

[Xhunter911]

awesome guys thanks for the help!!
My buddy found a few buttons also at the same dig site today with me but he is not a member on this forum...

 

[Kieth-Tx]

PROBABLY Civil War era. The button back is the telling factor. If it is from the Civil War period....CSA2K is right...Union general service.

 

[Xhunter911]

on the back is Scoville Mfg Co. Waterbury

PROBABLY Civil War era. The button back is the telling factor. If it is from the Civil War period....CSA2K is right...Union general service.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

It is called a "general service" button because it was issued to privates, corporals, and sargeants in every branch (Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, etc) of the US Army. Because it was issued to every yankee enlisted-man, it is the most common civil war Military button. Civil war relic diggers & collectors have nicknamed it an "eagle button." That specific version of US Army "General Service" (enlisted-men's ranks) button was in use from 1854 to 1874.

Did you dig it in New Jersey? No civil war combat occurred in that state, so if you dug it there, it is from a training-camp. Newly drafted (or enlisted) soldiers received their uniforms and equipment and basic training at such camps, in their home state, before being sent off to the war as a regiment.

 

[Xhunter911]

Great info thecannonballguy thanks!!
Yes I dug the button locally but I am not aware of any training camps other than in woodbury, NJ which is 30+ miles from my dig site.. my buddy also found a button at the same site yesterday, but his was a flat style civilian button..
Its possible its was a training area!!! Do you have a list of training areas in S.Jersey??

It is called a "general service" button because it was issued to privates, corporals, and sargeants in every branch (Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, etc) of the US Army. Because it was issued to every yankee enlisted-man, it is the most common civil war Military button. Civil war relic diggers & collectors have nicknamed it an "eagle button." That specific version of US Army "General Service" (enlisted-men's ranks) button was in use from 1854 to 1874.

Did you dig it in New Jersey? No civil war combat occurred in that state, so if you dug it there, it is from a training-camp. Newly drafted (or enlisted) soldiers received their uniforms and equipment and basic training at such camps, in their home state, before being sent off to the war as a regiment.

 

[Kieth-Tx]

Congratulations Xhunter911! That is a period button. 1850-1865

Identifying US Military Uniform Button Backmarks - Age, Type, Design, and Construction