Union. I Corps. Officer Badge for Lt. Henry F. Felch, 39th Massachusetts Volunteers. Silver. Very Fine. 23 mm. 5.5 grams. Circular pin-back badge engraved LT. H.F. Felch / 39TH MASS VOLS.<p>Henry Francis Felch, son of Isaac and Keziah Felch, was born March 18, 1839, in Natick, Massachusetts and enlisted August 1, 1862, as a sergeant. He was mustered into I Company of the Massachusetts 39th Infantry later that month. He led a successful military career, rising through the ranks to second lieutenant in October 1863, first lieutenant in September 1864, and captain at the end of his service in June 1865.<p>The 39th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was quite active in the War following the battle at Gettysburg, when it joined the Army of the Potomac at Funkstown, Maryland. The engagements near Spotsylvania at Laurel Hill in May 1864, and the Weldon Railroad in August 1864, were particularly costly, with numerous casualties including Lt. Felch, who on August 19th, 1864, suffered a wound at the Weldon Railroad battle.<p>After the War Henry Felch married Martha Ann Clough in February 1866, and had two daughters. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries he worked in a shoe factory, becoming the foreman by 1900. By 1910, he had retired to a farm in Natick where he lived until his death in 1924 at the age of 85.
