Forrest Forrest Cavalry Corps Commemorative Badge

[Mike Serpa]

Manufactured by Shwabb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the three-piece badge has an upper pin device with a "member" bar flanked by two Confederate flags, the battle flag, and the Third National Flag. At the center top is a likeness of Robert e. lee. At the center of the badge linked by two loops is a shield with the words "Forrest Cavalry Corps". The bottom medallion is connected by chains and is of a silver likeness of "General N. B. Forrest". On the reverse of medallion is an image of the Third national Confederate flag. This Forrest cavalry corps badge is RARE. - Sold for $3,346.00

https://historical.ha.com/itm/milit.../674-72366.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515

 

[mofederal]

That is a very beautiful badge. I'm surprised it is not reproduced by some. Thanks for sharing this rare badge. It is definitely a beauty!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Wow ! That is indeed beautiful.

 

[Mike Serpa]

That is a very beautiful badge. I'm surprised it is not reproduced by some. Thanks for sharing this rare badge. It is definitely a beauty!

Wow ! That is indeed beautiful.

It looks like it is brand new!

 

[Nathanb1]

Oh dear goodness sakes! I have to look and see if Mr. Gattis had one!

 

[diane]

That's a lovely item! Had to check out the guy it belonged to - Dr Samuel Houston Caldwell of the 46th Tennessee. He was with Forrest from the fall of Vicksburg clear through the surrender at Gainesville but there's not a lot about him. He was a graduate of Nashville Medical College and that's about it! Would like to know a little more about him. I do know Forrest wasn't like a lot of commanders - anybody would do as a surgeon - he always found people who were actual, real doctors. Dr Caldwell is notable, however, for his account of Ft Pillow - he was an eye witness to Forrest getting between his men and the black soldiers with 'his pistol and saber drawn', and gave further account of the situation there after the Silver Cloud arrived. Here's a picture of the good doctor:

 

[roberts]

Here is an article on his confederate service from Findagrave:

After the war he returned to Paris in Henry County and practiced medicine. Later he went into tobacco and opened a drug store in Paris. He was very active in CSV and there are a number of items both during the war and his time with the veterans are pictured on the internet. He died in 1917 at the age of 80.

 

[diane]

Thanks, @roberts ! As I understand it, his servant Joe Caldwell went on to become a prominent citizen in Nashville, but perhaps I'm mistaken on that? Seems he stuck around the history records some!