This item is the center section of an escutcheon that has seen better days. The actual art work is in good condition but the surrounding mount is stained, torn and chipped in numerous places. The piece consists of a shield divided into four quadrants surmounted by a spread-winged eagle and crossed flags. Beneath the shield is a riband with “COLOR SERGT. LOWELL H. HOPKINSON” painted in gold.

The shield is divided into four quadrants by a thick red cross with the Seal for the state of Massachusetts at center. Inside the body of the cross is the war history of Sergeant Hopkinson done in gold paint.

The upper left quadrant of the shield has “11^TH MASS. VOLS. on one edge with an Infantry blue colored oval decorated with gold gilt scrollwork with a gothic German script “CO. H” at center with an Infantry Corporal’s chevrons below it. The upper right quadrant has “59^TH MASS. VOLS.” along the edge with an Infantry blue colored oval decorated with gold gilt scrollwork with a gothic German script “CO. A” at center. Below this are an Infantry Sergeant chevron and a Color-Sergeant insignia that consists of crossed US flags over a star and a Sergeant’s chevrons at bottom. The lower left quadrant has a gold Infantry hunting horn insignia with the numbers “11” and “59” separated by a bar at center. The lower right quadrant has a 2^nd Division, 3^RD Corps badge above a 1^st Division, 9^TH Corps badge.

At bottom center is a faded photo of a young Civil War soldier. The photo looks to be taken from a Civil War book and is not believed to be Sergeant Hopkinson. The frame is wood but is modern and meas. approx. 20.50 x 27.00 inches.

Lowell H. Hopkinson was born in Groveland, Massachusetts on June 14, 1836. At the time he enlisted in Company H, 11^th Massachusetts he was a 24 year old shoemaker. He enlisted on June 13, 1861 and was mustered in the same day. At some point during his service he was promoted Corporal. With the 11^th Mass. he saw action at 1^st Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage’s Station, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Bristow Station and 2^nd Bull Run. In the latter battle he was wounded and was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia where he was discharged on October 25, 1862.

Lowell enlisted a second time on December 5, 1863. This time he enlisted as a Sergeant in Company A, 59^th Massachusetts Infantry. He served with them at Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomy and Cold Harbor. He was captured at the latter place on June 3, 1864 and was confined in Libby Prison, Andersonville, Charleston and Florence. He was exchanged December 14, 1864. On June 1, 1865 he was transferred to Company A, 57^th Massachusetts Infantry and was mustered out on July 30, 1865.

After the war he returned to Groveland where he was a member of the Charles Sumner Post #101 of the GAR holding the office of Post Commander for a time. He died on May 2, 1904 in Groveland, Massachusetts.

Color-Sergeant Hopkins has a very good history which kind of makes up for the poor condition his escutcheon is in.

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