Hand-sewn blue ribbon with a South Carolina military button in the center. Approximately 3" (7.5 cm) across rosette. Pin on back is silver-plated and 1" (2.5 cm) wide.

Edmund Ruffin was an ardent secessionist - and a proud cockade-wearer! He even had himself photographed with his cockade on his hat. This cockade is based on the cockade design he wore.

Want to know more about Ruffin and his cockade? CLICK HERE!

In order to show support for secession, many people in the 1860s wore secession cockades. Civilian ladies and gentlemen, military men, children, and even horses and wagons were adorned with these patriotic symbols.

The Charleston Mercury in 1860 noted:

“We are glad to see the people of our State everywhere preparing for the crisis which is at hand....‘Minute Men’ are organizing in all the Principal districts of South Carolina....whose duty is to arm, equip and drill, and be ready for any emergency that may arise in the present perilous position of the Southern States....The badge adopted is a blue rosette, two and a half inches in diameter, with a military button in the centre, to be worn upon the side of the hat. Let the important work go bravely on, and let every son of Carolina prepare to mount the blue cockade.”