At 11:05 AM 8/3/1998 -0700, you wrote:
>I was hoping that someone would be able to help me with my research -
>I need a good source of information to help me identify and date US
>military buttons, insignia and medals from the last century.

Actually I could use such a resource as well.

I'm assisting in the conservation of artifacts excavated from a Civil
War-era military complex's privy. We've got lots of metal buttons and lots
of leather bits (Boots? Horse tack?).

In particular, we have many "eagle buttons" which are dome-shaped with a
wire shank. Raised design on face: eagle with outspread wings and open
mouth, feet clutching arrows and olive branch, striped shield covering its
body. We have these in two or three sizes.

I know there are lots of good books about Civil War military regalia and
paraphernalia, but I don't know which are *good* resources for artifact
identification. Any reviews of resources are appreciated, including websites.

Christen Runge
Conservation Assistant, Alexandria Archaeology
Office of Historic Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
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