Civil War Infantry Insignia and number of the 4th Connecticut, dug at Washington, DC

This is a rare piece being offered, it is an excavated brass Infantry Horn and unit number 4 of the 4^th Connecticut Infantry Regiment. As seen in the pictures, just about all of the brass gilt is off and a tiny piece from the number 4. It was recovered from their campsite in Washington, DC.

The 4th Connecticut Infantry Regiment was organized at Hartford, Connecticut and mustered in on May 21, 1861.The regiment was attached to Abercrombie's 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of Pennsylvania, to August 1861. 2nd Brigade, Banks' Division, Army of the Potomac, to December 1861. Defenses of Washington to January 1862.

They left Connecticut for Washington, D.C., June 10. Duty at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and at Hagerstown, Maryland, until July 4, 1861, and at Williamsport until August 16. At Frederick, Maryland, until September 5. Moved to Darnestown September 5, then to Fort Richardson. Service in the Defenses of Washington, D.C., and duty there until January 1862. The 4th Connecticut Infantry ceased to exist when its designation was changed to 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery on January 2, 1862.

The 1^st Connecticut was ordered to the Peninsula, Va., in charge of the siege train, Army of the Potomac, April 2. Siege of Yorktown April 12 – May 4. Battle of Hanover Court House May 27. Operations about Hanover Court House May 27–29. Seven days before Richmond June 25 – July 1. Gaines Mill June 27. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing until August 15.

They moved to Alexandria, Virginia, August 16–27. Duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., until May 1864, as garrison at Fort Richardson (see pictures). Batteries B and M detached with the Army of the Potomac, participating in the Battle of Fredericksburg, December 12–15. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1–5. Stafford Heights June 12.

Battle of Gettysburg, July 1–3. Bristoe Campaign October 9–22. Brandy Station, Virginia November 8. Mine Run Campaign November 26 – December 2. Rejoined regiment in defenses of Washington January 1864. Regiment ordered to Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, May 13, 1864. Engaged in fatigue duty and as garrison for batteries and forts on the Bermuda front and lines before Petersburg during siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond, May 1864 to April 1865.

Many men from the 4^th Connecticut reenlisted in the 1^st Connecticut Heavy Artillery and seen heavy fighting through the end of the war. What is unique about this item is mainly the provenance. Very few artifacts came out of Washington, and this is the first I had in over 30 years. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.