This Civil War artifact is truly an outstanding example of a non-dug, soldier’s identification disc in super condition that belonged to Corporal Albert D. Nelson of Company “C”, 12^th Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. This tough-fighting outfit was also known as the New Hampshire Mountaineers in the Army of the Potomac owing to the large and stalwart looking individuals who made up the regiment. Albert Nelson was a twenty-two year old resident of Bristol, NH and along with his two brothers, Dan, 23 and Major, 21, they all answered the call to arms and enlisted in the State regiment on August 18, 1862.

Their regiment’s long list of engagements starts at Fredericksburg, and includes Chancellorsville VA, Gettysburg PA, Wapping Heights, Swift Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, Relay House, Port Walthall, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, The Crater, Bermuda Hundred and the occupation of Richmond, VA. Chancellorsville was the hardest day for the New Hampshire brothers and their family for the three men were casualties, with Albert and Major being wounded in battle and Dan being killed in action. Albert’s Chancellorsville wound caused him to miss the action at Gettysburg but he was back with his regiment for the Overland Campaign until he became ill in June of 1864. Sadly, of the three young Nelson boys who enlisted in August 1862 only the youngest survived the war. Albert died in February 1865 at home and was buried in Homeland Cemetery, Bristol, New Hampshire. The G.A.R. named Post #40 in the State of New Hampshire in honor of the Nelson brother after the war.

Nelson’s small, brass, circular badge is in excellent condition and bears a strong and clear, Sutler-stamped, block inscription on the face that reads, “A.D. Nelson / Co. D. / 12^th Reg. / N.H.V. / Bristol.” The entire outside curvature of the device is finely engraved with a thin line of tooled decoration. Opposite side of disc has an embossed military motif in a spreadwinged eagle facing to its right holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons. Upper portion of the disc reads “WAR OF 1861” while the bottom of disc is embossed with “UNITED STATES”. Disc exhibits a small, 1 / 16” size hole drilled at the right most edge to hold a neck string.

With the item are Nelson’s military records and some internet research that includes an engraving of Nelson in uniform.

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