Page 55 - January1948

NATIONAL BUTTON BULLETIN

Old newspapers have recently corne to light which indicate that this
ofganization acted as bodyguard foI the Colonial Governor of the Province
of Massachusetts Bay as early as 1728.
The uniform of the organization has been varied. In the early days
it was similal to the unifol'm of the Blitish Army. During the Revolution
the coat was black with red facings. Since then coats of valious colors
such as blue, black and white have been used. The familiar white unifornt
of the Cadets is probably the best known.

The buttons ale shown by coultesy of Mrs. Edythe Doe, the Arthur.
K. Wilsons, Major H. W. Williams, Jr., and The Essex Institute.
In the above illustfation thlee of the buttons ar.e quite similar., in that
each has an eagle holding a ribbon with the legend "E PLURIBUS UNUM"
and a bundle of arlo'ws in the r.ight claw. The motto IIONSTRAT VIAII
is above and "INDEPENDENT CADETS" below. Individuatly the buttons
21g 4s f6ll6vrg-
1. Solid, flat, gilt,24 mm. The device is implessed and includes a dis-
played flag on which is shown an Indian with bow and arlow, and "INSTL
1?86." Back. Blank.
2. Solid, flat, gilt,25 mm. The design is r.aised. The eagle holds a
lance and olive branch in the left talon. The upper poltion of the button is
rayed; below is a displayed flag with coat-of-alms. Back: "TREBLFj
GILT.''
3. Solid, flat, gilt, 26 mm. This button is almost identical to specimerr
two, except for the size and back. Back: "K. ARMFIELD & SON. BIR-
MINGHAM.''
4. Two-piece, convex, gilt, 21 mm. The letters "ICC" within a I'aised
circle; seven stars within plain laised rim; all oD lined field. Back:
..ROBINSON, JONES & CO."
The service of the Cadets has been long and illustrious. A number of
the Cadets participated in the Boston Tea Party and John Hancock was
Commander in 1774. During the Revolution, the Cadets were under the
command of Henry Jackson anil were known as "Jackson's Regiment" ot.
the "Boston Regiment."
The Cadets wele not called out during the War of 1812, but many ot
the members saw service in other organizations. In the Civil War soue
Cadets saw service with the 4Sth Regiment, known as the Cadet Regiment.
In 189E, the Cadets, then a battalion of infantry, were used in guarding the
milltary installation along the coast line of their State. During World War
I they selved in France with the 26th Division as an eltgineel legiment.
With the reorganization of the National Guald, the Cadets were federally
recognized and since 1922 they bave can'ied on as an anti-ail'craft battalion
and at present are known as the 211th Coast Artillery A.A. Filst Corps of
Cadets. Massachusetts.