As I sit here polishing my brass for Memorial Day, I wonder. What did the galant boys 140 odd years ago use to polish there brass? Should a fellow make himself some sort of a polishing board or card to keep that polishing stuff off the wool?
I may be and old and and not too good of a private, but my brass shines.
Thank you, all you men and women who wore the uniform of the United States Military.I sleep safe in my bed at night because of the sacrifices of all our veterans, living and dead.God Bless you all.
Keep Your Powder Dry. The Union Forever!

Pvt. Dan Girton  Company A , 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment

As far as the board or card, There are a number of examples of such devices. As to what to polish with, a proper period answer is some ash from the fire pit with a bit of water to make a paste. Also vinegar could also be used.

Dan,

The next time you are around some scrap harness or belting, take a moment to cut a piece about 3" long, and then make a lengthwise slit in the leather just wide enough to fit a button shank. Not everyone had the money to buy a fancy brass or wooden button board, especially when they were losing their pay in rapid fashion at Euchre and other games of chance. If you really get into the swing of things, some bacon grease and ground charcoal makes a decent boot black field expedient.

For brass, nothing beats rottenstone and vinegar, followed by a little bit of spit to bring out the shine.  It actually works better than Brasso -- perhaps not so mirror-bright, but it keeps its shine much, much longer.  You can buy rottenstone from Dell's or you can go to a paint supply store (it's still used as a polishing compound).  The latter will sell you a lifetime supply for a few bucks.  Wool or domet flannel make excellent polishing rags.

I use both rotten stone and fire ash to polish my brass.  I also recommend use the cheapest button board out there which is our hand.  I just place my fingers around the button to protect the wool and it just works great.  

Mark Maranto

At a living history recently one of the guys tried the fire ash and water combo and wow.. it really made the brass shine.
I think he used a spare rag to wrap around the buttons to protect the material..