Engraved cast metal cavalry identification badge. Obverse features a mounted cavalry soldier with engraved legend at perimeter: "John H. Hill / Co. G. 1" Vt. Cav." Diam. 1 5/16 in. 

John H. Hill of Shaftsbury, Vermont, enlisted on 23 September 1861 as a private into Company G ("Sheldon's Company") of the 1st Vermont Cavalry. They operated in the Shenandoah Valley fighting at the Battle of Winchester, and the next day (24 May 1862) Hill was captured at Middletown, Virginia on 24 May 1862, and he was paroled about a month later. After defending Washington in the second half of 1862, they returned to Virginia, often in opposition to Col. John Moseby. On 30 May, Hill was wounded at Greenwich, Virginia, when the 1st Vermont routed a charge and captured Moseby's artillery piece. 

With no chance for respite, they joined the Gettysburg Campaign, assembling at Fairfax Court House and attaching to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps in the Army of the Potomac. Hill was critically wounded during the famous cavalry charge of the 1st Vermont Cavalry under General Farnsworth (KIA) against Law's Alabama Brigade at Little Round Top. 

They continued to see heavy engagement through the rest of the War.  After participating in Kilpatrick's Raid on Richmond at the end of February 1864, before joining the Overland Campaign. Notably, Company M fought at the Battle of the Wilderness, escorting the General Staff of the Army of the Potomac commanded by General George Meade. Following more battles throughout Virginia, they fought at Cold Harbor, Ream's Station, and the Siege of Petersburg. 

In the autumn of 1864, they joined Sheridan's Valley Campaign, fighting at Third Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek where the 1st Vermont was led by General George Armstrong Custer in a cavalry raid with the 5th New York Cavalry. They demolished the Confederate lines, and they captured 161 prisoners and significant artillery. In 1865, they joined the Appomattox Campaign, battling at Five Forks and Sailor's Creek, and were charging Lee's wagon train at Appomattox Court House when they received word of truce. 

A great badge from a hard-fought regiment. 

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