The 34-star flag was in use in March, 1863, the time that I simulate on my model railroad. West Virginia would join the Union a few months later making 35 states and stars. If you are wondering about the star pattern, many variations were in use at that time.
The lantern is replica. The telegraph instruments are not yet connected, but we are working on that.
I suppose I need a period coat rack for the brigadier general frock coat.
My bother painted the portrait of Lincoln. The Engineer Castle was also a gift from my brother that he acquired in Korea for me in the 1980s. He and I were officers in the US Army Engineer Corps. The Engineer castle insignia was in use by Union engineers in the civil war.
"The Army unofficially adopted the castle to appear on the Corps of Engineers’ epaulets and belt plate in 1840. Soon afterwards the cadets at West Point, all of whom were part of the Corps of Engineers until the Military Academy left the charge of the Chief of Engineers and came under the charge of the Army at large in 1866, also wore the castle on their cap beginning in 1841. Subsequently, the castle appeared on the shoulder knot, on the saddlecloth, as a collar device, and on the buttons. Finally, in 1902, the castle was formally adopted by the Army as the insignia of the Corps of Engineers. Although its design has changed many times since its inception, the castle has remained the distinctive symbol of the Corps of Engineers."