US WARTIME ENLISTED MAN’S KEPI WITH POST-WAR GAR MEDALS AND CORPS BADGE IDENTIFIED TO 93RD PENNSYLVAIA HOSPITAL STEWARD PRESENT AT GETTYSBURG

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Item Code: 2022-1779

This small lot consists of several items relating to Emmor H. Bruce who served as a private and then Hospital Steward with the 93rd Pennsylvania and whose name appears on the regimental tablet of the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg.

Emmor H. Bruce was a 23-year-old resident of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania when he enlisted as a private in Company F, 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteers at Downsville, Maryland on November 1, 1862. Sometime before July of 1863 he was assigned as a hospital steward for the regiment and served with them in that capacity at Gettysburg as evidenced by his name and rank on the Pennsylvania Monument there. Bruce was discharged by surgeon’s certificate on May 11, 1865.

Unfortunately, nothing else is known of his life other than that he died in Reading, Pennsylvania before 1911.

The 93rd Pennsylvania was raised in Lebanon in October of 1861. It served the bulk of its time with the Army of the Potomac being part of both the 4th and the 6th Corps. It saw action on the Peninsula, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg

The first item in the group is a CDV of Bruce seated in a chair. He wears a dark civilian overcoat with light trousers. The overcoat has dark edge trim running from the collar and down the front. It can also be seen on the cuffs. The overcoat is loose fitting and is held closed by two or three bone or tin buttons. A close examination of the lower open area of the overcoat reveals a dark vest with white polka-dots and dark cloth covered buttons. Bruce’s overcoat has fold-down lapels allowing a clear view of his collar. Here, the low collar of a shell jacket and a single general service eagle button can be seen. Image has good clarity and contrast. Mount and paper are good. Reverse has a photographer’s imprint for J. H. KEIM of LEBANON, PA. A pencil ID on the reverse reads “EMMOR H. BRUCE 1865.”

Next in the group is Bruce’s wartime enlisted man’s kepi in excellent condition. The exterior body has a single repair just behind the chinstrap button on the left side. This repair was to seal a 1.00-inch-long vertical separation. Dark thread was used which makes the repair less intrusive. The rest of the exterior is excellent. The recessed disc has a false embroidered number “93” at lower center. Attached to the front of the crown is a black felt oval with a stamped brass oakleaf wreath with a white metal “US” at center. Insignia meas. approx. 2.50 x 2.00 inches. Most of the knap on the black felt is gone and the wreath has a light patina, otherwise it is excellent. There is one small moth hole or pull in the material to the left of the insignia but this is very small and minor. The black leather visor has a bound edge with minor amounts of crazing as is usually seen. Thin leather chinstrap is complete with sliding brass keeper and anchored by three-piece staff buttons that show a wonderful brown patina. Interior has brown polished cotton lining with one or two small stress separations. Bottom of the disc is not lined and the sweatband is gone. The cap really has a nice look to it and displays very well.

Also present is an extra cap insignia for the front of the crown. This one differs in that it has a green felt oval denoting hospital service with a stamped brass oakleaf wreath with a white metal “US” at center. Insignia meas. approx. 2.50 x 1.50 inches and is in excellent condition. The reverse is lined with a dark brown or light black cheesecloth like material.

The next item in the group is Bruce’s post war Corps badge. This is a beautiful item consisting of a rectangular top bar made of silver with a “T” bar pin on the reverse with a finely engraved border on the front. Engraved at front center is “93d REG PA VET VOL.” Descending from this bar are two small silver chains each approx. 1.25 inches in length. They hold a beautiful silver cross shaped 6th Corps badge outlined in red enamel with a decorative engraved border. The badge is set against four green enameled leaves generating from each quadrant of the cross. Engraved horizontally at center of the cross is “1ST BRIG – 2D DIV” and vertically is 3D BRIG 3D DIV. A ribbon was meant to hang behind the badge but that is gone. Badge is in superb condition.

Bruce’s GAR membership badge is also part of the group. The badge is of the usual design with the brass spread-winged eagle perched on crossed cannons over a pyramid of cannonballs, US flag ribbon and star shaped drop with the GAR crest on the obverse and all the Corps badges of the Army on the reverse. The original pin remains on the reverse but there is no maker mark. The drop does bear the number “B41474” on the edge. Overall condition is excellent.

The last item in the group is Bruce’s Civil War Campaign medal with the blue and gray ribbon and drop with a bust of President Lincoln at center of the obverse and “THE CIVIL WAR 1861-1865” on the reverse. Original pin is present on reverse. Drop is stamped on the side with “M No. 4155.”

This is a great group of items identified to a soldier known to be present at Gettysburg and filling the position of Hospital Steward, a position for which items are rarely encountered.  [ad] [ph:L]

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