Rock Island Argus., 1902-09-10

| the brigadeS, the deplellon at times OF
some regiments making additional
ones necessary to keep up the pro-
per effective strength.
In 1863 the regiments of cavalry
were organized into corps of them
selves. Prior TO that time each corps
was accompanied by brigade OF
cavalry regiments.
Batteries of light artillery, organiz-
ed in brigades of about five batteries
each, were attached to each corps,
in addition to which the Army of the
Potomac had an artillery reserve
consisting of five Drigades-twenty-
one batteries in all.
Prior to the adoption of corps or
ganizations the various armies of the
union consisted of divisions number
ed in the order of their formation
This plan was adhered to in the west
ern armies until December. 1862 The
army of the Ohio contained several
divisions, each division consisting of
three brigades. But the exigencies
of the gigantic conflict demanded
heavier fighting units. and I'm 1863
the western armies took the field
with corps organizations similar 10
those which tien. Mcclellan had fnsti-
tuted in the Army of the Potomac
and which We're retained during the
remainder of the war.
The corps badges which will be
conspicuous during the encamp-
ment and which will be placed upon
the front of the corps tents at Camp
Roosevelt were not adopted until
the spring of 1863. The Army of the
Potomac had them immediately, but
the western armies did not adopt
them until in 1864. and they were only
partially worn. In some of the corps
they were not worn at all, although
the emblems were displayed conspicu-
ously on all corps property. such as
tents and wagons. Finally the corps
badge as an emblem became most
popular. and the men delighted IN
their possession. They were usually
stamped upon flannel and were worn
on the cap, usually on the crown.
which then tilted over the face. They
were of different colors, red for the
first division, white for the second,
and blue for the third. The idea
originated in Kearney's division,
when he ordered his own men 10
wear diamond shaped patch If
red flannel so that he would be able
to distinguish his men if they strag-
gled.
The corps badges that are most
familiar because of the distinguish
cd service of these corps in the war of
the rebellion are the round badge II
the 1st corps, the trefoil, or ace of
clubs of the 2nd. the losenge or
patch of the Sd, the triangle Of
the 4th, the maltese cross of the 5th.
the Greek cross of the 9th. the cres-
cent of the 11th, the star of the 18th.
and the acorn of the 18th.
Camp Roosevelt has been laid off
by Maj. Gilbert Thompson, formerly
of the district engineers. In the cen
ter is a platform and flagstaff, upon
which a flag will be raised at 4:30
o'clock Oct. 6. in the presence of the
president of the United States. Gen
Torrance, commander-in-chicf of the
Grand Army of the Republic. and the
assembled veterans and other guests
of the city. The reunion commit
tee hopes to have present to assist
in this patriotic exercise and the
dedication of the camp a thousand
school children.
There will be five large tents upon
the grounds for the use of the armies
and the eX-prisoners of war. About
the ellipse will be stationed 25 tents
for the regular infantry corps. In
addition to these Will he tents for the
cavalry corps of the Army of the
Potomac. one for the cavalry of the
western armies, one for the eN-prison-
ers of war. one for the engineers,
telegraph and signal corps; one for
the navy, one for the colored troops
of the division of the Mississippi, one
for the provisional corps of the Army
of the Cumberland, one for the Sons
of Veterans, one for the Spanish
War veterans. With each corps head
quarters viii be four or five other
tents for the reunions of divisions.
brigades, regiments and other or
ganizationS.