#5097 • Civil War Silver Identification Badge-3rd PA Heavy Artillery-Guard of Prisoner Jefferson Davis

Part of Fine and Decorative Arts | Day 3 | September 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM (live auction by Alderfer Auction)

High bid $1,000.00

Status: Sold

American Civil War silver ID badge belonging to John William Kaye, of Battery M, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. Round pin presents central image of artilleryman standing next to cannon ant engraved around edge "J.W. Kaye Battery M 3rd Pa Artillery" and measures 1.5" in diameter. Reverse presents T-bar pin. Surface of badge exhibits toned patina with remnants of red paint that made up background of central image. John William Kaye enlisted and was mustered into Battery M, of the 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery regiment on March 8, 1864 as a private. Kaye was promoted to corporal on May 1, 1865 and commissioned a 2nd lieutenant on June 9, 1865. From June thru November 1865 Kaye was a member of the contingent that guarded Confederate president Jefferson Davis while he was held at Fortress Monroe Virginia awaiting trial. Kaye was mustered out at Fortress Monroe, Virginia on November 9, 1865. Kaye was born in England and immigrated to the United States in 1852 with his parents settling in Philadelphia. In the 1870's he attended the University of Pennsylvania and divinity school holding various positions in the Protestant Episcopal church including deacon (1876), priest (1877), rector of St. Timothy's church, Philadelphia, (1883-1888), rector of All Saints' church at Norristown, Pennsylvania (1890-1894), and assistant rector of St. David's church, Philadelphia (1894-1900). Kaye was also an accomplished author of several books including Flight, Capture and Imprisonment of Jefferson Davis (1883). Kaye died in Philadelphia in 1910 and is buried in the Saint James the Less Episcopal Churchyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Provenance: Gary Wolfer collection.