United States. A Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) Membership Badge, 10th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
A Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) Membership Badge, to Captain David R. Waters, Company "G", 10th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. In Gold with red, white and blue enamels, weighing 12.4 grams inclusive of its ribbon and brooch, number engraved "13794" on the reverse of the loop suspension, measuring 32 mm (w) x 32.5 mm (h), original ribbon with pinback, intact enamels, tiny dent evident on the reverse centrepiece ring, near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), also known as the "Loyal Legion", is a United States patriotic order, organized on April 15, 1865, by officers of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States who "had aided in maintaining the honor, integrity, and supremacy of the national movement" during the American Civil War. It was formed by loyal union military officers in response to rumors from Washington of a conspiracy to destroy the Federal government by assassination of its leaders, in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. They stated their purpose as the cherishing of the memories and associations of the war waged in defense of the unity and indivisibility of the Republic; the strengthening of the ties of fraternal fellowship and sympathy formed by companionship in arms; the relief of the widows and children of dead companions of the order; and the advancement of the general welfare of the soldiers and sailors of the United States. As the original officers died off, the veterans organization became an all-male hereditary society. The modern organization is composed of male descendants of these officers (hereditary members), and others who share the ideals of the Order (associate members), who collectively are considered "Companions". A female auxiliary, Dames of the Loyal Legion of the United States (DOLLUS), was formed in 1899 and accepted as an affiliate in 1915. The 10th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army between July 29, 1861, and July 11, 1865, during the American Civil War. The 10th Illinois Infantry was mustered into state service at Dixon, Illinois, on April 21, 1861, and mustered into Federal service on May 24, 1861, for a three-year enlistment. The regiment saw service at the Battle of Island Number Ten, the Battle of Resaca, the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. The regiment was mustered out on July 4, 1865 and was discharged at Chicago, Illinois on July 11, 1865. The regiment suffered two officers and 48 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounded and 136 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 186 fatalities. Company "G" was a re-organized regiment made up of men from Clark, Lee and Henderson counties in Illinois, the latter contributing thirty men, who were enlisted between November 20, 1861 and March 1, 1861 The recruiting was done by David R. Waters of Oquawka, Illinois. Waters was promoted to First Lieutenant on June 16, 1862 and resigned on March 30, 1864.