This brass identification disk is about the size of a silver dollar and has been stamped on the face with the words “Russel C Jackson / Leon Catt’s Co. NY” around the perimeter of the circular badge. The center is stamped: “Co. K / 64 / Reg’t / I B / N.Y.S.V.”

The reverse of this ID disk has a raised imprint of General George McClellan’s silhouette. The perimeter reads: “Major General G.B. McClellan / War of 1861.” The finer details of McClellan’s face have been worn down but the silhouette of the figure is recognizable. The part of his hair, the angle of his nose, the collar of his frock coat, as well as the shoulder straps are easily inferred although they are quite worn. The wording around the perimeter is prominent and easily read with the exception of one small wear mark in the word “general” near the “a.”

Overall, this ID disk is in great condition although the reverse definitely shows some use possibly from rubbing on a surface after consistent wear.

Who was Russel C. Jackson, you ask? In September 1861, he enlisted as a private at age 33 in Company K of the 64^th New York State Vols at Leon, Cattaraugus County, New York. Private Jackson served with the 64^th at muster-in in the defenses of Washington through their tour of duty in the Virginia battlefields: such as Manassas, the Peninsula, Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Gaines’ Mill, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, thence to Harrison’s Landing, where Jackson was admitted to the General Hospital at Craney Island while the regiment was at Fort Monroe. As it turns out, while Jackson was out on picket in February of 1862, he was struck in the left side of his head and face by a rogue tree limb which rendered him deaf in the left ear. The injury also affected his left eye, and Jackson gradually lost sight in that eye. He received a full invalid pension for his wounds after he was discharged on disability on March 4^th 1863.

When Russell enlisted, he was husband to Laura (Clark) Jackson with five children: four daughters and one son. Little is known about Mr. Jackson after his discharge. Sadly, he dies less than two short years after his discharge in February 1865 according to Ancestry records. Pension records show that he was a resident of North Evans, Erie County, Pennsylvania at his death. A modern handwritten note in the accompanying records claims that Jackson was killed in a machine shop accident. Jackson is definitely a great candidate for more research!

Service records, pension records, and handwritten collectors’ notes accompany this ID disk.  [cls] [ph:L]

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