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WASHINGTON BUST “SECURITY” IDENTIFICATION DISK OF EMIL KEUCKLER, 14th INDIANA WITH BATTLE HONORS, WOUNDED IN ACTION AT ANTIETAM

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This a white metal identification disk, in Maier and Stahl typology the Washington 3D, showing a portrait bust of Washington with the word “SECURITY” along the lower edge, and rated “Very Rare.”  The die was cut by Robert Lovett, Jr., at 200 South 5^th St., Philadelphia. He also cut a Lady Liberty pattern disk and his brother, George H. Lovett, cut another Washington disk at his own operation in New York City. In addition, Robert is known for cutting a die for a Confederate one-cent piece sometime very early in 1861, from which he seems to have struck 12-16 samples before putting the die away until the 1870s when it was used to create a number of restrikes, spurring a large debate sizable literature in American numismatic circles.

Like all Civil War identification disks, this was privately purchased and stamped on the reverse with its owner’s name and unit identification, and in this case, probably for an extra charge, stamped with battle honors as well. The revers is stamped in an arc along the top edge: “Emil Keuchler.” Below that in three parallel straight lines is “Co. E. / 14. Ind. V. / Winchester.” Below this in three curved lines is “Antietam. / Fredericksburg. / Chancellorsville.”

Keuchler is somewhat difficult to trace from spelling variation is in name in the records. Civilwardata, for instance, apparently using Indiana records, carries him as Emeil Keshler, perhaps how it was pronounced, who was a resident of Vanderburg County, Indiana, when he mustered into Co. E of the 14^th Indiana Infantry as a private on June 7, 1861. He was WIA at Antietam and mustered out June 16, 1864, at Indianapolis. He reenlisted there as private in the 1^st Indiana Light Artillery on Oct 12, 1864, and served to Aug. 22, 1865, mustering out back at Indianapolis, but is carried in that listing as Emil Kuchler

The 14^th Indiana Infantry organized in May 1861 originally for one year and then volunteered for three years when the call for troops was changed. They mustered June 7, left the state July 5, and served first in western Virginia, accounting for his first battle honor, though he may have seen action is some of the outfit’s other fights. They were in reserve at Rich Mountain, but took some casualties at Cheat Mountain on Sept. 12 and at Greenbriar River on Oct. 3. He may have missed those, or Winchester, with its greater number of casualties, made more of an impression in March 1862, when they were in Shields’ division and lost 4 killed and 50 wounded.

They joined the 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, in July 1862 as part of Kimball’s independent brigade and then in the 3^rd division by September. They were in reserve at South Mountain, but at Antietam the brigade earned the title of the “Gibralter Brigade,” with the 14^th fighting within 60 yards of the Confederate line along the Sunken Road for four hours alongside the 8^th Ohio, losing 31 killed and 150 wounded.

At Fredericksburg, by CWData’s count they lost 6 killed, 14 wounded, and 3 missing, and at Chancellorsville on May 3 another 7 killed, 50 wounded and 2 missing. At Gettysburg they lost 123 officers and men killed or wounded in supporting the batteries on Cemetery Hill on July 2 under artillery fire and in driving back infantry attacks, where they were credited with saving Ricketts battery, boasted of capturing much of the 21^st NC and their colors, and spent July 3 under artillery fire as well.

After Gettysburg they were sent to NY City in the draft riots, but were back in time for Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns in October and December. In 1864 they fought at Morton’s Ford in February, and as part of the 3^rd Brigade, 2^nd Division, 2^nd Corps in the Overland Campaign they were at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, fighting right up to the moment they were due to leave for home. The regiment mustered out in June, with the reenlisted men and recruits transferred to the 20^th Indiana. Kuechler mustered out, but later reenlisted in the 1^st Indiana Light Artillery, where he is found as Emil Kuchler, serving as a private from Oct 12, 1864. The battery served in the deep south, taking part in the campaign against Mobile and seeing action at Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, and the capture of the city April 12, 1865, then moving on to Mobile, where they remained in garrison, until mustering out at Indianapolis Aug. 22, 1865.

This is a very tough pattern of identification disk to find and one carried by a soldier with some interesting service and heavy combat in one of the western regiments fighting in the eastern theatre. The condition is very good, showing some natural wear to the white metal raised surfaces of the portrait bust and small handling dings and handling marks, but fully legible. As with all Civil War identification disks, this was privately purchased, with the small hole at top serving to suspend it from a pinback top piece, often in the form of an eagle, though with other patterns available, worn on the coat. It is tough to find something more personal to a Civil War soldier.  [sr][ph:L]

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