UNIFORM GROUP IDENTIFIED TO COLONEL JOSEPH W. CORNING, 33RD, 111TH & 194TH NEW YORK

$12,500.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 801-409

This uniform group consists of a dark blue double-breasted frock coat, matching dark blue trousers, sky blue military vest and forage cap.

The first item in the group is a frock coat made of a fine dark blue wool broadcloth. The coat has a 1.25 inch collar with a black felt lining. Coat is double-breasted with two parallel rows of seven buttons down the front, three on each cuff and four on the tail. All are eagle “I” buttons, all look to be original to the coat and all have “Thomas N Dale & Co., New York” backmarks. Attached to the left shoulder is a Colonel’s shoulder strap in good condition. The strap is a single border with a bullion eagle on a faded sky-blue rank field. The right shoulder is minus its strap but the outline of it is present.

The exterior of the coat is in very good condition overall. There is scattered moth tracking and a few minor nips here and there. The only major problem is a moth or burn hole on the back, in the area of the right shoulder, that meas. approx.0.50 x 0.50 inch. This hole goes through the coat and the liner underneath. The rest of the coat has some light surface dirt but is otherwise excellent. All seams are tight.

The body of the interior of the coat is lined in a black polished cotton that is tightly quilted in the chest area. The body and tail lining have some light lines of discoloration and one or two small wear holes but nothing major. The left chest has a horizontal pocket. Sleeves are lined with plain white muslin down to the wrists where it changes to a brown polished cotton. Some of the sleeve lining shows heavy wear with surface dirt and some tears and stress separations. This can only be seen by looking into the sleeve. Where the sleeve lining meets the body lining there are some loose areas but these are very small. The seams are tight. Coat has no markings of any kind.

Also with the frock coat is a pair of dark blue trousers made out of the same broadcloth as the coat. Trousers have button closed “mule-ear” side pockets with a small watch pocket at right waist. Four of the six suspender buttons are present. All trouser buttons are made out of japanned tin. All four fly buttons are present, as is waist closure button. Running down each leg is a very thin light blue stripe that has faded to an almost white color. Back waist of trousers has adjustable yoke and japanned tin buckle.

Trousers are in very nice condition with only light surface dirt and two moth holes that are no bigger than a pencil eraser head. The inside of each leg cuff has four buttons, two on each side, for attaching a leather stirrup to help keep the leg of the trouser from riding up while mounted.

Interior is lined in the waist and pockets with white muslin. The waistband lining has vertical brown strips. Lining is in good condition throughout. The only marking is a “U-2” on the watch pocket lining and this looks more like a modern museum marking than a period mark.

With the coat and trousers is a wonderful sky-blue wool military vest that looks to be all hand sewn. The collar and front of the vest is made of a finely woven sky- blue wool and is made with three pockets. One on the left breast and two lower ones on each side. All pockets have a brown polished cotton lining. Vest has a nine button front. All buttons are present and look to be original to the item. All buttons are eagle “I” like those on the frock coat. All have WATERBURY BUTTON CO. backmarks. Front of the vest has numerous small moth holes scattered throughout. These holes vary in size from pinhead size to the largest of about 0.50 an inch. The back of the vest is entirely made of white muslin with a size adjustment strap with a plain white metal buckle at lower back. The muslin shows a number of small discoloration spots but is overall very good.

The interior chest panels of the vest are lined with brown polished cotton with the before mentioned muslin panel making up the back of the vest. Interior surfaces of the sky-blue wool also show some moth nips but it is much lighter than on the exterior.

The last item in this wonderful group is a standard issue dark blue wool forage cap with the white metal number “33” attached just below the disc on the front of the crown. Cap has a body that is in good overall condition. The top of the disc has 3 small moth nips and a small repair to the edge seam at rear. The body has one or two very tiny repairs. One at the base of the front seam behind the chinstrap, one above the right chinstrap button and one on the same side further up near the disc. These are all barely discernable. The chinstrap is anchored by two eagle “I” buttons. Chinstrap is worn and broken in one place but is complete otherwise. It can be repaired or left as is and displayed so that the break is not as noticeable. As stated above, just below the disc on the front are two white metal number 3’s that meas. approx. 0.50 inch in height. Numbers show some disfiguration from age and storage but nothing serious. Black leather visor is straight and flat and is firmly attached. Surface of both top and bottom have light crazing.

Interior of the cap is complete. Sweatband is present but shows heavy wear with numerous stress separations. Small sections along the bottom edge have separated from the cap. The brown polished cotton lining is in better condition. There is some wear and stress separations at the front of the lining. All the wear on the inside can be attributed to sweat and hard use.

The owner of this uniform was Joseph W. Corning of Palmyra, New York who was commissioned Captain of Company B. 33rd New York Infantry on May 9, 1861. He led a colorful and interesting life. The 33rd New York’s regimental history says of him:

“Joseph W. Corning was born in Yarmouth, North Scotia, Nov. 4th,1813, and when eleven years of age removed with his parents to Rochester, New York. The father losing all of his property by an extensive conflagration, the son was thrown on his own resources, and resorted to various shifts for a livelihood.

In 1829 he joined a military organization, and devoted much time to the manual. During a part of the years 1833 and 1834, he resided in Waterloo, where he was elected Captain of a Company of Fusiliers. In the spring of 1834 he proceeded to Clayton, Jefferson Co., and spent two years in teaching and agricultural pursuits. He was here likewise chosen Captain of a Militia Company.

He settled at Ontario, Wayne County, where he remained ten years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1847 he removed to Palmyra, and embarked in the mercantile business. In May, 1850, he sailed for California, and after spending three years in mining operations, returned to Palmyra. He now commenced the study of law, was admitted to the bar in March 1855 and continued the practice of his profession until the outbreak of the war. He was chosen Justice of the Peace, Police Magistrate, Mayor of the village, and filled other positions of trust. In the fall of 1860 he was elected by a heavy majority to represent his district in the State Legislature.

He took a prominent part in the various Legislative proceedings of the session, and when the South rebelled, urged the enforcement of the most stringent measures for their subjection. On the adjournment of the Assembly he returned home, and the next day commenced raising a Company for the war. He was promoted from Captain to Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty-third, November, 186l, and was present with the Regiment in all its encounters with the enemy, being frequently complimented by his superior officers for “gallantry and courage.”

Author George Contant in his book titled “Path of Blood: The True Story of the 33rd New York Volunteers” relates this concerning Corning:

"At Williamsburg, on May 5, 1862, Palmyra New York's Lt Col Joseph W. Corning of the 33d New York Volunteers proved that he was no politician-officer. As General Jubal Early's howling Confederate brigade rushed toward the redoubt near Cub Creek Dam, now occupied by the reinforced brigade of General Winfield Scott Hancock, the 33d's dazed Colonel Taylor stumbled up to his second in command. Corning tried to find out what happened to the four companies that his Colonel had taken into the woods, but Taylor had utterly lost contact with them. Looking out at the onrushing enemy, and seeing that the Federal line was beginning to crumble, a frustrated Corning yelled, "My God, sir, nothing but a charge can check this thing!" He turned to his companies, A, D and F, commanded them to charge bayonets, and on his own hook ordered the charge that launched Hancock into history.”

Corning was in command of his regiment at Antietam and his report can be found in the Official Records. He was mustered out with the 33rd at Geneva on June, 2, 1863 and next served as Major of the 111th New York to rank from September 29, 1864. He joined the regiment in October of 1864 and served during the siege of Petersburg.

On February 3, 1865 Corning left the 111th to accept a commission as Colonel of the 194th New York Infantry. The war ended before the 194th finished organizing and Colonel Corning was discharged on May 31, 1865.

After the war he returned to Palmyra, married and ran a grocery business. He served for a while as a customs officer in New York City but returned to Palmyra where he died on June 30, 1890 and was buried in Palmyra Cemetery.

Quite a few wartime items belonging to Colonel Corning were offered at auction several years ago. With that in mind it would be possible to add to this group over time. Still, that which is offered here is a museum quality group that is worthy to be its own display.   [ad]

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