Brevet Major George W. Corliss
SubjectRelated to
George W. Corliss
(American, 1834 - 1903)
MediumPainting; oil on canvas in frame
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of Brett Moyer, Paul Moyer, and Edward Trout
Object number2009.412.4
DescriptionCoat of arms and written military service record for George W. Corliss. The Great Seal of the United States, the eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows, is at the top. Below that is a shield with a red cross segmenting it into four quadrants. At the center of the cross is the Connecticut State Seal, and surrounding that is a circle containing thirteen stars. The text in the cross details Corliss's military service during the Civil War.
In the top left quadrant, there is text that reads, "5th Connecticut Vol. Infy.," below which is a bugle containing the number 5, and hanging from that, two bars in blue and gold, signifying Corliss's rank as second lieutenant (no gold bars within the border), then first lieutenant (gold bars within the border), in the infantry.
In the top right quadrant, the text reads, "U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps." There are three shoulder boards depicted, from top to bottom: black and gold with one bar within the border (indicating his rank as staff first lieutenant), blue and gold with two bars within the border (infantry captain), and blue and gold with oak leaves within the border (infantry major).
In the bottom left quadrant, three flags are depicted. One is a red Maltese cross or iron cross (V or Fifth Corps badge) on a white ground in a triangle shape, one is a red star (possibly XII or Twelfth Corps) on a white ground, also in a triangle shape, and the third is a red star (possibly XII or Twelfth Corps) on a white ground in a rectangle shape. All are trimmed in gold fringe.
In the bottom right quadrant, there is a red star, probably indicating the XII/Twelfth Corps, of which the 5th Connecticut Regiment was part. (It was during the Battle of Cedar Mountain, fought on the Union side by the XII Corps, that Corliss was severely wounded and was brevetted major for "conspicuous bravery.") There is also a wreath composed of laurel leaves in gold on a black background, with "U.S." in gold in the center. This symbol indicates Corliss's role as a staff officers. Finally, there is an American flag with thirty visible stars.
Outside the shield, there are gold and blue decorative elements. Below it there is a Army Medal of Honor, which Corliss received in 1897 for his conduct at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Below that is a ribbon with text that reads, "Brevet Major George W. Corliss / U.S. Vols." To the left of the ribbon is the Society of the Army of the Potomac Medal, and to the right is the Grand Army of the Republic Veteran's Medal.
In the top left quadrant, there is text that reads, "5th Connecticut Vol. Infy.," below which is a bugle containing the number 5, and hanging from that, two bars in blue and gold, signifying Corliss's rank as second lieutenant (no gold bars within the border), then first lieutenant (gold bars within the border), in the infantry.
In the top right quadrant, the text reads, "U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps." There are three shoulder boards depicted, from top to bottom: black and gold with one bar within the border (indicating his rank as staff first lieutenant), blue and gold with two bars within the border (infantry captain), and blue and gold with oak leaves within the border (infantry major).
In the bottom left quadrant, three flags are depicted. One is a red Maltese cross or iron cross (V or Fifth Corps badge) on a white ground in a triangle shape, one is a red star (possibly XII or Twelfth Corps) on a white ground, also in a triangle shape, and the third is a red star (possibly XII or Twelfth Corps) on a white ground in a rectangle shape. All are trimmed in gold fringe.
In the bottom right quadrant, there is a red star, probably indicating the XII/Twelfth Corps, of which the 5th Connecticut Regiment was part. (It was during the Battle of Cedar Mountain, fought on the Union side by the XII Corps, that Corliss was severely wounded and was brevetted major for "conspicuous bravery.") There is also a wreath composed of laurel leaves in gold on a black background, with "U.S." in gold in the center. This symbol indicates Corliss's role as a staff officers. Finally, there is an American flag with thirty visible stars.
Outside the shield, there are gold and blue decorative elements. Below it there is a Army Medal of Honor, which Corliss received in 1897 for his conduct at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Below that is a ribbon with text that reads, "Brevet Major George W. Corliss / U.S. Vols." To the left of the ribbon is the Society of the Army of the Potomac Medal, and to the right is the Grand Army of the Republic Veteran's Medal.
Status
Not on view
