Buttons

U. S. Corps of Artillery Button Weight: 3. 4 grams Diameter: 14 mm. Date: 1814-1821

In 1981, a team of archeologists investigated the original site of the 100' artesian well that was located in the Parade Ground of the Star Fort. This well, shown on the site base map, was a principle source of drinking water for the troops until 1870. A number of buttons were recovered from this excavation and they can be identified to specific periods of military history at the site. It is not certain how the buttons got several feet below the ground level.

Reproduction

Frequently, the park presents educational programs for the public. Reproduction uniforms are worn by staff living history participants to explain the types of clothing worn by the soldiers who served at Fort McHenry. Buttons from the archeology collection are used as examples when copies are made for interpretive programs. The images shown above are just two historic period buttons. There are hundreds in the park’s museum collection that have been recovered from various locations. Click on the red bar below the Civil War button and you can see the back of the button and the identification markings of the manufacturer.

Both of these historic buttons were made by the Scovill Company, which has been in operation since 1802 and is still making fasteners today. The company built their first mill in Waterbury, Connecticut and it was in full operation by 1811. By 1810, Scovill was producing buttons for the U.S. Military at a rate of 500 gross every 60 days. These early buttons were stamped from cast dyes. The United States mint provided the company with the cast for the eagle for buttons that were produced in 1812. *

Scovill factory on the Mad River, Waterbury, Connecticut ca. 1830

The U.S. Corps of Artillery button above dates to the earliest period from 1814-1821. The First, Second and Third Regiments of the U.S. Artillery were reorganized and consolidated into a single U.S. Corps of Artillery on March 30, 1814. This consisted of twelve battalions with 48 companies of 123 men each. These units were assigned to coastal artillery posts from the Great Lakes to New Orleans. The companies in Maryland were stationed at Fort McHenry, Fort Washington below the Capital city on the Potomac and Fort Severn in Annapolis. On May 1, 1813, the U.S. Army authorized new uniform regulations that prescribed a plain, dark blue uniform. This change of regulations brought an end to the last remnants of 18th century colored ornamental cloth red trimmings and yellow facings on the soldier's coat. Along with the new color material, a new insignia was issued by the U.S. Army and stamped on all the new buttons and hat plates. Each enlisted man was issued a coat that had ten buttons. Archival records at Fort McHenry show a shipment invoice in May 1814 for the first delivery of these new uniforms. As with many buttons of the early period, there are minor variations. Some include images of a flag, the eagle, and cannon balls. Rare examples from Commanding Officer’s uniforms have been found that are gold plated. The majority are made of brass or yellow metal.*

These small symbolic images of power, strength and unity gave rise to the national pride that swept the country after the War of 1812.

*References:
Albert, Alphaeus.

Record of the American Uniform and Historical Buttons. Alexandria, Virginia: O'Donnell Publications, Inc., 1976.

McGuinn, William F.

American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their Benchmarks and Dates., Washington, DC., 1984.

Scovill Company.

The First 150 Years of the Scovill Company. Clarkesville, Georgia: Scovill Fasteners, Inc., 1950.

Wyckoff, Martin A.

United States Military Buttons of the Land Services: A Guide and Classification System. McLean, Virginia: McLean County Historical Society, 1950.

Catalog number: FOMC 9881, Accession number: FOMC 183.