Gold and silver II Corps badge presented to Lt. Colonel Charles Kochersperger, Company F, 71st Pennsylvania (1st California Regiment), May 1864. Manufactured by J. Somerset, Philadelphia, PA.

2 1/2 x 2 in. gold and silver badge featuring a gold eagle, with T-bar pin on verso, clutching the letter "F" in its beak and with suspension rings affixed to its talons from which a silver trefoil hangs. Trefoil center features an applied gold wreath encircling "1 Cal," while leaves are inscribed with the names, "Baker," "Burns," and "Webb," honoring Oregon state senator Edward Baker, who raised the 71st PA and commanded the regiment and later brigade until his death at the Battle of Ball's Bluff, William Wallace Burns, the brigade commander after Baker's death, and Alexander Webb, who commanded the Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg and again during the Overland Campaign when this badge was presented. Verso inscribed to "Lt. Col. Chas. Kochersperger by members of Co. F May 1864" and stamped "J. Somerset/Philada."

Charles Kochersperger entered service on 28 May 1861 as captain of Company F. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 31 March 1863 and commanded the left wing of the regiment during the repulse of Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. He commanded the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry at the Battle of the Wilderness where he was severely wounded. Kochersperger died from the long-term effects of his war wounds in Philadelphia on 27 December 1867.

The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca