GOLD PRESENTATION G.A.R. (PAST) DEPARTMENT COMMANDER’S BADGE OF GEORGE H. CHEEK, SECOND RHODE ISLAND, SIXTH ARMY CORPS

$3,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 30-2201

This gold presentation badge features the two-star rank badge of a Grand Army of the Republic Department Commander suspended form the upper eagle suspension bar at top with a pin back. A gold ribbon with blue enamel lettering reading “2nd R.I. INFT.” is suspended from the rank insignia, and from that hangs a red enamel 6th Army Corps insignia with “Co. D” on the cross-bar. Two chains from the gold ribbon suspend the G.A.R. star, on the back of which is beautifully engraved: “Presented to / PAST DEPT. COM’DER / George H. Cheek / by / HIS COMRADES OF/ RHODE ISLAND / April 6th, 1914.” The suspension pin is present at top. The ribbon is gone, but the bar for the ribbon is present.

George Henry Cheek was born in London in 1847. He emigrated to the U.S and enlisted at Pawtucket R.I. on 10/29/64, mustering into Co. D of the 2nd RI Infantry on 10/29/64. The 2nd Rhode Island was in the 6th Corps and was a hard-fighting unit. When Cheek joined it they were under the command of Elisha Hunt Rhodes and finishing their tour of duty in the Shenandoah Valley, after fighting at Winchester and Cedar Creek, returning to the Army of the Potomac in the trenches around Petersburg. Here they fought at Hatcher’s Run in December and in February, at Forts Fisher and Stedman in March, and in the final assault on Petersburg on April 2, planting their colors on the enemy works and capturing two guns. On April 6 at Sailor’s Creek, in the pursuit of Lee, they came into hand-to-hand combat with the Confederate Naval Brigade: “the action was so close that men were bayoneted, and knocked down with butts of muskets.” Cheek survived and mustered out 7/13/65. He returned to Pawtucket, living there for the rest of his life. He married in 1870 and in 1900 was working as a highway foreman, living with his wife, four daughters and one son. He died in 1923 and is buried in Pawtucket’s Oak Grove Cemetery.

This is a very pretty, high-ranking G.A.R. badge in gold, nicely inscribed, and with a very showy Army of the Potomac 6th Corps badge as a central motif.  [SR]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About GOLD PRESENTATION G.A.R. (PAST) DEPARTMENT COMMANDER’S BADGE OF GEORGE H. CHEEK, SECOND RHODE ISLAND, SIXTH ARMY CORPS

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

HIGH GRADE US M1840 MEDICAL STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD

Overall length: 38 1/4". Blade length: 30 1/2". Blade is etched over half its length with foliate, military & patriotic motifs, including a 6 1/2" panel that reads “United States Medical Staff”. Gilded brass hilt with shield languets. The… (1081-22). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

19
Apr

May 15 - 19: NSS-A Spring Nationals Learn More »

Instagram