Brass Regimental Number “6”, dug at Fredericksburg in 1960s

This is another nice piece from the collection I am currently working on, it is a regimental number “6”. It is made of brass and measures ¾” high. This is a part of a collection which was dug in Fredericksburg during the 1960s – 1970s.

On November 14, 1862, Union General Ambrose Burnside sent a corps to occupy the vicinity of Falmouth near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Lee reacted by entrenching his army on the heights behind the town. On December 13, after pontoon bridges were laid, Union forces crossed the Rappahannock River under fire.

Burnside mounted a series of futile frontal assaults on Prospect Hill and Marye's Heights that resulted in staggering casualties. On December 15, Burnside called off the offensive and recrossed the river, ending the failed campaign.

Regimental numbers were used less frequently than brass company letters but are similar in construction. Some regiments would require multiple numbers. This is "6" which could also double as a "9". The pin would have been die-struck brass with a wire loop fastener for sewing onto the hat. It would make a nice addition to any Civil War collection.