Brass Identification Stencil for Confederate soldier, 56th Virginia Infantry, Pickett’s Division (SOLD)

This is another rare piece being offered which I had for many years in my collection, it is a Civil War brass stencil. It belonged to William F. Higgins, of Company K, 56^th Virginia Infantry of Pickett’s Division. It has “( Wm. F. Higgins. )” and measures 1 ½” x 2 ½”.

The 56th Virginia Infantry, commanded by Colonel William D. Stuart, brought 289 men to the Battle of Gettysburg. Assigned to Garnett's Brigade, Pickett's Division. Their actions at the Battle of Gettysburg unfolded in the following timeline: July 2, 1863: The regiment arrived near sunset and bivouacked on the western border of Spangler’s Woods. July 3, 1863: They formed the front line of Pickett's Charge.

The regiment faced heavy artillery and musket fire while crossing the Emmitsburg Road and pushing towards the Angle. Colonel Stuart was mortally wounded during the assault. Of the 289 men engaged, the regiment lost more than 65% of its force.  The regimental flag was captured by the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry at the stone wall during the fighting at the stone wall.

There is a very good chance that Higgins had this stencil in his haversack during Pickett’s Charge. He was very fortunate to survive that horrific assault on July 3^rd.  Higgins died Sept. 11, 1896, at the Confederate Soldier's Home in Richmond, Virginia. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.