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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Fort Smith National Historic Sitesidewalk path along Arkansas River
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
March 2007 Artifact
 
Rifle Regiment button showing a bugle, bell to the left, with circular bend, mouthpiece horizontal, the word “Rifle” within the bend, 13 five point stars in two arcs above. Pattern (die) lines tend towards diffuse. 20 mm in diameter.
Collection FOSM
Rifle Regiment Button
 

MARCH 2007 ARTIFACT OF THE MONTH

Rifle Regiment Button
excavated at Belle Point, site of the first Fort Smith
c. 1815-1821

Several buttons like this were found in the 1960s archeological excavation of the site of the First Fort Smith.  The fort was established in 1817 by the US Regiment of Rifles.  The buttons would have been sewn on the fringed, green linen frocks worn by the soldiers of the Rifle Regiment. 

The main element on the metal button is the bugle, commonly associated with the Rifle Regiment. 13 five point stars are arranged in two arcs above the bugle.
Lady Bird Johnson speaking at Fort Smith NHS dedication  

Did You Know?
Lady Bird Johnson came to Fort Smith National Historic Site to dedicate the park on October 27, 1964.

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Last Updated: May 03, 2007 at 10:58 EST