8th NEW YORK INFANTRY VETERANS MEDAL AND INSIGNIA – BLENKER’S VETERAN VOLUNTEERS

8th NEW YORK INFANTRY VETERANS MEDAL AND INSIGNIA – BLENKER’S VETERAN VOLUNTEERS

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$375.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2025-863

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Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

The 8th New York State Volunteer Infantry holds an interesting distinction among Federal regiments.  In April of 1862, as the war heated up in Virginia, the 8th found themselves short of rations.  Confronted by hunger and resultant bad moods, the men of the 8th plundered civilian homes, Army stores, and nearby camps for food – resulting in quite the gastronomic haul.  Their initial commander, Louis Blenker, had developed a bit of a reputation by then for “mismanaging” supplies, not always providing accurate financial accounting, and turning a blind eye to looting practices of his men.  So pervasive was news of the great food raid and the reputation of Blenker, that a slang term for theft was adopted by the US Army.  Thenceforth, theft while in service was commonly referred to as “Blenkering”.  No convicting evidence of broad wrongdoing has ever surfaced beyond loose accusations (perhaps related to his Germanic heritage or his natural competition among establish German-born US Army officers).  Nevertheless, he was promoted to Brigadier General for gallantry at First Bull Run by died of complications related to a wound suffered in 1863.

This set of veteran items includes a rare medal and hat insignia.  The base of the medal features the text “BLENKER V. V.”, while the drop medallion features a laurel surrounding the numeral “8”.  Near the edge of the medallion, text reads “APR. 23. 1861 / 1863 / N Y S V I”.  The attached pin at the base is in complete condition and the reverse of the medallion is blank. The veteran cap or hat insignia bears the designation “8 / B V V” (8th Blenker Veteran Volunteers), surrounded by a gilt finished laurel.  Each is secured by soldered wires attached to a heavy backing paper board.  The medal measures 2.3” x 1.3” while the insignia measures 1.9” x 2.7”.

A very neat grouping for the collector of Civil War Veteran items, with an interesting link to one of the war’s many facets.  [cm][ph:L]

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