Plates, Belts and Swords of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Civil War veterans’ organizations get little ink so it was a pleasant surprise when this book crossed my desk. Douglas Roussin has taken on the task of sorting out and presenting the varied belt plates and swords worn and carried by members of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Due to the size of the G.A.R. and its continued legacy with the S.U.V. and a smaller semi-military group called the Sons of Veterans Reserves, it should not be surprising that vendors of the postwar era should make available a wide variety of belt plates, belts and swords to accommodate members. This publication begins with a general history of the G.A.R. and S.U.V., and a short background of the plates/belts. Three chapters that follow cover G.A.R. monogram, membership star and pattern plates. Two chapters deal with web and leather belts and one presents a detailed look at G.A.R. belts and swords. S.U.V. plates, belts and swords round out the remaining two chapters. Starting with the monogram plates, the reader is struck by the variations. Most were cast brass, but there are examples of rolled brass and one of die-stamped brass. In several cases the monogram is applied and one example shows both an applied wreath and monogram. There are 14 pages and 26 examples of the familiar star pattern plates which, again, are mostly castings. The G.A.R. pattern plates exhibit the letters in a number of styles such as block, stylized, applied and Old English. There is a clipped corner hand-stamped specimen and one plate with a silver infantry bugle applied. Both leather and web belts get a great deal of attention in their many variations. Thirty-seven belts with plates and numerous reverse-side shots are noted in these chapters. The belts and swords chapter is made even more interesting by the number of makers who jumped into the postwar market with their wares. The book has excellent close-ups of designs and etchings. In many photos the belt and sword are pictured together with close-ups of the various parts. The Sons of Veterans Reserves round out the book with their swords, belts and belt plates. There are also examples of a Sons of Veterans Reserve cartridge box plate and belt plate. Appendices list dealers’ and makers’ names found on G.A.R. and S.U.V. swords, and examples of modern G.A.R. and S.U.V. plates. This is a book with over 170 examples, front and back photos, close-ups, copies from dealer catalogs, veterans’ photos, bibliography and a well-written text. The rarity scale runs from very common to exceptionally rare and will be of major use to the collector. Photography is outstanding, and the hard cover, quality paper and binding should stand the wear and tear of any well-used library. This book is highly recommended for the G.A.R. and S.U.V. collector, museum personnel and those interested in the post- Civil War era. It is hoped that additional material will be forthcoming on Civil War veterans’ groups since this is an extended part of our Civil War history. Reviewer: Dale E. Biever received his M.Ed. in American history from Kutztown University. He is past vice president for administration and former member of the Board of Governors of the Company of Military Historians. A retired educator, he was registrar at the Civil War Library and Museum in Philadelphia. |
Illustrated, appendices, bibliography, 148 pp., 2008. Greybird Publishers, P.O. Box 126, Acworth, GA, 30010, $34.95 plus shipping.