Prominent in the center of this reunion button with ribbons is a portrait bust of General John B. Gordon, the “General Commanding” of the UCV in 1903. Students and historians of the war will be familiar with his fighting record in the Army of Northern Virginia. As the southern corollary to the G.A.R., the U.C.V. held annual reunions as well and this button-headed stick pin with ribbons was made for their 1903 reunion, held in New Orleans on May 18. The gilt brass button features Gordon’s portrait bust in the center. Overhead is the monogram of the UCV between the dates of “61” and “65.” Behind him is a Confederate battle flag crossed with a Louisiana banner showing a Pelican feeding her young. Below that in crescent, another state symbol, is the location and date of the reunion. A short red ribbon with the location in black lettering extends down from the button, as does a white ribbon with the date, also in black. The period of 1903/1904 marked a high point in membership in the UCV and also marked the final years of Gordon’s life.

These buttons show up occasionally on their own. It is hard to find them with the ribbons intact and this one also shows a lot of original gilt on the button itself.  [sl]

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