IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR NAVAL OFFICER'S CAP

IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR NAVAL OFFICER'S CAP

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$3,750.00

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Item Code: 1284-04

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THE MAN: Nehemiah Mayo-Dyer (b.1836 d.1910) at the age of fourteen began the life of a sailor, and from that time on for six years was in the merchant service. During the winter of 1860-61 he joined the Fourth (Massachusetts) Battalion of Rifles garrisoning Fort Independence from May to July 29, 1861, the battalion in the meantime having been recruited to a full regiment, and mustered into the United States service, July 16, 1861, for three years, and designated as the Thirteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Mr. Dyer was a member of Company A of that regiment, and a credit to Melrose, Mass., which town he had for several years made his home. In April 1862, Mr. Dyer was discharged by special order of the War Department, to accept an appointment as acting master's mate in the navy, and on May 2, 1862, he reported at the Charlestown navy-yard for instruction in gunnery. Ordered to the "R. R. Cuyler" on July 7, 1862, he served in the East and West Gulf Squadrons; and on the night of May 17, 1863, with a boat's crew from that ship, burned the rebel schooner "Isabel," while aground under the walls of Fort Morgan, bringing off her crew and papers. For this he was promoted by Admiral Farragut to Acting Ensign, and appointed to command the "Eugenie," renamed the "Glasgow," engaged in blockade and dispatch duty. Promoted on January 12, 1864, for further faithful and meritorious service to Acting Master. In July he was assigned to the "Metacomet," and took part in August in the passage of the Mobile forts and capture of the rebel fleet, receiving in person the surrender of the " CSS Selma." In October he was ordered to the "Hartford," the flagship of Admiral Farragut. In the winter of 1864 and 1865, as commander of the "Rodolph," he co-operated with the forces under General Grasyer. The "Rodolph" was sunk by a torpedo on April 1, 1865, and on the 22nd he was promoted to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, and, after the surrender of the rebel fleet in the Tombigbee River in May, he commanded successively the "Black Diamond," the "Morgan," the "Elk," and the "Stockdale". Mayo-Dyer's record after the Civil War was equally outstanding and he commanded the USS Baltimore at Manilla Bay!

THE CAP: This hand sewn example is made of navy-blue to black wool broad cloth. It is the Model of 1864. The rank insignia on this hat is the 1852 to1863 type which makes this a transitional cap dating to early 1864. The 2-piece rank insignia consisting of a metallic silvered horizontal fouled and a gold embroidered wreath. The 1864 regulations called for the fouled anchor to be vertical. This transitional insignia is hand sewn in place on an oval patch of black broadcloth, it is about perfect condition and has never been detached from this cap. The rank is compatible with a Passed Mid-Shipman, a Mid-Shipman, a Master or a Lieutenant. The 2 regulation Naval officer cap buttons are made by Scovill have never been resewn and date 1852 through the Civil War. The 1/2-inch patten leather chinstrap is in place with its stamped brass rectangular buckle. The leather-bound peak is 1 3/4 inches deep, unmolested and has not been re-affixed. A broadcloth welt covers the junction of peak and cap. The patten leather on the bottom of the peak is green. The height of the cap is 3 1/4 inches, the top diameter is 7 1/2 inches, and the hat size is about 7 1/4. The about perfect 1 1/2-inch-tall leather sweat band is hand sewn in place and the cap is lined in a black silk blend material. Internally on the right side of the sweat band is an inked paper tag that reads: "Mayo Dyer",

This historic cap was donated to the Melrose Museum in Melrose Massachusetts, which was formerly Grant Post #4, by Mayo Dyer Hersey (August 30, 1886 – September 5, 1978) an American engineer, physicist working for several government agencies, and Professor at Brown University. He received the1957 ASME medal, and the first Mayo D. Hersey award (1965) of Washington DC. He was at one time much involved with the Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Mass., the former Grant Post # 4. He personally made several donations and was kin to Captain Nehemiah Mayo Dyer. A few years back we sold the same Mayo Dyer's sword and belt.  Mayo Dyer's sword was a classic Civil War regulation Navy Model 1852 officer's saber. The wonderful condition regulation Civil War era leather sword belt has a beautiful interlocking (male-female or tongue in wreath) naval officer's buckle of the finest manufacture. Glued inside the belt is a neatly penned, but faded, label which is in Mayo Dyer Hersey's hand which reads: "Sword, Scabbard & Belt of Capt. N. Mayo Dyer, U.S.N. Entrusted to City of Melrose.". There is every possibility that then Acting Master Mayo Dyer wore this cap August 5th, 1864, at the Battle of Mobile Bay.  [pe][ph:L]

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