Civil War Dragoon button with “D”, recovered at Williamsburg, Virginia

Being offered is an excavated Dragoon button 20mm circa 1850s. The face has the eagle with “D” for Dragoon. The reverse has the stand-up shank which may have had a period repair. The maker is not visible. It was recovered years ago on the Williamsburg, Virginia Battlefield.

Dragoon buttons were primarily worn by Union cavalrymen, particularly those in the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Regiments which were redesignated from the 1st and 2nd Dragoons in 1861. While officially abolished for new uniforms by 1859, these buttons—featuring an eagle with a "D" on its shield—saw continued use early in the war.

After the Confederate retreat from Yorktown, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan sent forward his III Corps to pursue the Confederates under Gen Joseph E. Johnston. The Union troops caught up with the Rebels four miles southeast of Williamsburg and attacked on May 5, 1862.

Heavy fighting ensued along Johnston’s defenses as both sides brought up reinforcements. The Confederates counterattacked the Union left, while the Federals gained ground on their right. That evening, Johnston pulled back, and McClellan followed. The battle was inconclusive, but there were 2,283 Union casualties and 1,560 Confederate casualties.

These buttons were generally made by Scovill and distributed before the war to both northern and southern purchasers including the Federal government. It is in typical dug condition, but still solid. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.