At top center is a large, full color, spread winged eagle on a US shield. His head is turned to his right and in his beak he holds a ribbon that reads “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” In his right claw he holds arrows and in his left an olive branch. Above the eagle, between his wings, are 13 gold stars. Below the eagle is a shield or escutcheon divided into 3 sections by a red bar. This bar descends from the top center of the shield till it reaches the mid-point. There it divides into two arms effectively dividing the shield into three parts. At center is the seal of the State of Pennsylvania. Within the body of the red bar is the war record of the soldier done in delicate gold lettering. Each of the sections has different insignia relating to the soldier’s service. The upper left section has “47^th Pennsylvania” along the edge. The center of this section has a double bag knapsack with a blanket rolled on top. The knapsack is labeled “47^th Pennsylvania.” Below the knapsack is an infantry hunting horn with a “47” at center. The upper right section has “Veteran Volunteers” along its edge and contains the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant and 1^st Sergeant in the Infantry blue color. The third and final section on the bottom has a 1^st Division, 19^th Corps badge and a fluttering US flag with 13 stars. Across the bottom in a scroll is the soldier’s name “1^st Sergeant James Tait.” All the decorations in the sections are bright and colorful being painted by hand.

James Tait enlisted as a Private in Co. F on August 30, 1861 and was promoted to Corporal when mustered in to service. The regiment saw a lot of small expeditions and skirmishes in Florida and South Carolina before moving to Virginia with the 19^th Corps in July 1864. They took part in Sheridan’s 1864 Valley Campaign. It was during this campaign in September that James Tait was promoted to Sergeant. After the Valley Campaign the regiment stayed in the area of Charlestown, West Virginia. In January of 1865 Tait was promoted to 1^st Sergeant. The regiment was mustered out December 25, 1865.

Item comes in the original walnut frame that meas. approx. 21.00 inches wide x 27.75 inches tall x 2.75 inches deep. The inner edge of the frame is done in gold gilt. The frame has moderate wear to the surfaces and half a wood slat on the back. The rest of the backing is stiff cardboard. There is some water damage along the top edge of the framed piece. The effected area meas. approx. 11.00 inches long x 0.75 of an inch wide. It does not touch the artwork. There is also a vertical tear along the top next to the water stain. This runs for about 2.00 inches. But again, it does not touch the artwork. The left edge also has two small tears. None are serious. All the colors are bright and very attractive.