A fine collection of Civil War soldiers' or veterans' effects, including:

1. Bronze Massachusetts Minute Men medal, identified to David W. Low of the 8th Massachusetts Infantry. 

Obverse with the Massachusetts State Seal. Reverse legend: "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts / To the Members of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia who were Mustered Into The United States Service in Response to President Lincoln’s First Call for Troops / April 15, 1861." Suspension bar reads: "Massachusetts Minute Men 1861." Bottom edge of medal engraved: " David W. Low, 1st. Lt. G. 8th. Reg."

David W. Low (1833 - 1919) enlisted as a third lieutenant in Company G of the 8th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia on 28 January 1861. The 8th Massachusetts was called to Boston on 15 April 1861 and sent to the national capital on the 18th, performing various duties along the way and eventually arriving on the 26th. On April 30th, the 8th Massachusetts Infantry would be officially mustered into the United States Army. Low would muster out with the regiment on 1 August 1861, having achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant as commemorated by this medal.

Low would reenlist twice with Company G of the 8th Massachusetts, achieving the rank of major. He would muster out for the final time on 10 November 1864 and would go on to participate extensively in his local G.A.R. Post #45. 

2. Gilt official badge of the Fifteenth Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee.

This is likely a postwar example, as silver badges with their insignia composed of broken lines and with identical patterns to their edges are attributed to an unknown post-war jeweler. Known examples include a Third Corps badge, a Fifth Corps badge, a Ninth Corps badge, a Fourteenth Corps badge, a Sixteenth Corps badge, a Twenty-Fourth Corps Badge, a Twenty-Fifth Corps badge and a Wilson's Cavalry badge (Phillips, 152.) 

3. A diminutive mirror in lead case. Front of case stamped with various symbols, including crossed cannons and cannonballs, a Phrygian cap, flags, bayonetted longarm barrels, a drum, and a pair of megaphone-like devices. 

This is accompanied by a piece of paper which reads as follows, written in modern blue ink: "Letter from Louise Wigfall's brother / Camp near Culpeper Nov 15th, 1862 / 'Item, if possible to be procured, one traveling toilet glass - this last very important!' / p. 113 / A Southern Girl in '61 / Mrs. D. Giraud Wright." 

References: 

Stanley S. Phillips. Civil War Corps Badges and Other Related Awards, Badges, Medals of the Period. Lanham, M.D.: S.S. Phillips and Assoc., 1982.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Relics, Militaria] [Medals, Corps Badges, Badges] [Currency, Tokens, Medals, Numismia, Numismatics, Exonumia, Bonds, Coins, Banknotes]