Rare VMI - Virginia Military Institute Cadet Coat Button - Appomattox

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Item: Rare VMI -  Virginia Military Institute Cadet Coat Button 
Backmark: "R & W. ROBINSON * / EXTRA RICH" dm
Construction: High convex, two-piece.
Approximate size: 22 mm.
Condition: Good, excavated, secure shank. While there is moderate overall ground action, this very well made button is in solid condition and has a base brown patina with gilt outlining the figures of Virtus and Tyranny, "CADET" and letters "V.M.I".  It has no pushes, cracks, breaks, or repairs.
Recovered: January, 1 2020  Appomattox area, VA by Larry Hardin. 
Reference: Tice: VAS291A1 Albert: SU 407
Comment: What a great way to start off the year for the digger Larry Hardin! The high dome V.M.I Cadet button is very rare and, in my humble opinion, is one of the most attractive Civil War school buttons. According to "Uniform Buttons Of The United States 1776-1865" by Warren K. Tice, “V.M.I. was founded in 1839 at Lexington and produced many excellent officers. Before the Civil War, the school was called the “West Point of the South.” In excess of 1,780 Confederate officers attended VM.I., more than any other school. One of the institution’s most famous teachers was Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, whom cadets feared due to his stern views on discipline and religion. Early in the war, authorities limited cadets service to drilling troops at Richmond, since they were loath to lose a future generation of officers. As Federals neared the Lexington campus in May 1864, General Breckinridge required the student body to march under arms to Staunton. On May 15th, while taking part in the Battle of New Market the cadets closed a gap in the Confederate line and then heroically charged a Federal battery. Later, vindictive Union General “Black Dave” Hunter torched the V.M. I. campus after soldiers, negroes and local toughs had sacked it. Robinson manufactured this button for use on V.M.I. dark blue, single breasted frock coats called “furlough coats” during the early or mid-1840s. The garments had ten buttons on the front and four on each cuff. It is extremely rare compared to VAS294.” This VMI coat button will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War button or general relic collection.

Product Code:
PC8720

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