American Historical Ephemera and Photography Online

Necklace comprised of a 1 7/8 in. x 1 7/8 in. medal in the the shape of red (1st Division) XIX Corps badge insignia attached to an approx. 9 in. chain. Corps badge identified on one side to "G.D. Gilman / 8.VT / Volunteers" and reverse bearing the name of the regiment's commander, "Col. Stephen Thomas / 2nd / Brigade." Date unknown, corps badge possibly commissioned post-war.

HDS locates Gilman, though records incorrectly identify him as "George C. Gilman" rather than George D. Gilman. The History of the 8th Regiment Vermont Volunteers identifies George D. Gilman on the original roster of Company K, elsewhere also noting his promotion to sergeant. George D. Gilman (1831-1924) of Brighton, Vermont enlisted on 12/23/1861 as a corporal and mustered into Co. K, 8th Vermont Infantry. He was mustered out on 6/22/1864. During his nearly three-year enlistment, the 8th Vermont Infantry Regiment served in both the Western and Eastern Theaters, participating in engagements including Port Hudson, Opequon, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. Stephen Thomas (1809-1903) was commissioned as colonel of the 8th Vermont in November 1861, and in 1892 received the Medal of Honor for "distinguished conduct in a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, in which advance of the enemy was checked" at Cedar Creek on 19 October 1864. The 8th Vermont under Col. Thomas was part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, XIX Corps.