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Headquarters Army of the Potomac. Circular. March 21, 1863.
For the purpose of ready recognition of corps and divisions of the army, and to prevent injustice by reports of straggling and misconduct through mistake as to their organizations, the chief quartermaster will furnish, without delay, the following badges, to be worn by the officers and enlisted men of all the regiments of the various corps mentioned.
They will be securely fastened upon the centre of the top of the cap. The inspecting officers will at all inspections see that these badges are worn as designated.
First Corps--a sphere: red for First Division; white for Second; blue for Third.
Second Corps--a trefoil: red for First Division; white for Second; blue for Third.
Third Corps-a lozenge: red for First Division; white for Second; blue for Third.
Fifth Corps--a Maltese cross: red for First Division; white for Second; blue for Third.
Sixth Corps--a cross: red for First Division; white for Second; blue for Third.
(Light Division, green.)
Eleventh Corps--a crescent: red for First Division; white for Second; blue for Third.
Twelfth Corps--a star: red for First Division; white for Second; blue for Third.
The sizes and colors will be according to pattern.
By command of Major-General Hooker, S. Williams, A. A.G.
Accompanying this order were paper patterns pasted on a fly-leaf, illustrating the size and color required.
It will be seen that the badges figured in the color-plates are much reduced in size.
Diligent inquiry and research in the departments at Washington fail to discover any of the patterns referred to, or their dimensions; but there are veterans living who have preserved the first badge issued to them in pursuance of this circular, from which it is inferred that the patterns were of a size to please the eye rather than to conform to any uniform scale of measurement.
A trefoil which I have measured is about an inch and seven-eighths each way. It is a copy of an original.
The stem is straight, turning neither to the right nor left,
Scanned printed text.
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