Button from coat of Lt. Frank Munson, 5th NY Cavalry, WIA (SOLD)

This is another great piece being offered, it is an identified, coat-size Union Eagle “C” button (for Cavalry). Threaded on the reverse is a piece of silk red, white, and blue flag ribbon. The button backmark “Waterbury Button Co., Extra”. This button, along with the others and several additional items, came directly from the family of Captain Frank A. Munson of New Haven, Connecticut.

Munson was 19 years old and living in New Haven, Connecticut when he enlisted as a Private in Co. B, 1st New York Cavalry on August 16, 1861. From March to June of 1862 he was absent from his regiment serving as an Orderly to General McDowell. On August 8, 1862 Munson accepted a commission as 1st Lieutenant in Company L, 5th New York Cavalry.

On May 3, 1863 at Warrenton Junction, Virginia, he received a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and was out of action until October of 1863. While he was in the hospital recovering from his wound he was promoted to Captain on September 14, 1863. He was absent again in June of 1864 and finally resigned on July 19, 1864 due to the effects of his wound. Munson died in New Haven, Connecticut on June 30, 1908.

The New York 5^th Cavalry was a hard-fighting unit. During its service, the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 4 officers, 62 enlisted men; died of wounds received in action, 4 officers, 20 enlisted men; died of disease and other causes, 5 officers, 222 enlisted men; total, 13 officers, 307 enlisted men; aggregate, 320, of whom 104 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

This is a beautiful button which was removed from Frank’s deteriorating frock coat by his family. Other artifacts from Munson’s estate are featured in “Starting Your First Civil War Collection”, by Frank D. Mroczka (see pictures). The original Certificate of Authenticity from 2004 will be included, along with Munson’s records.