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PROMOTED CAPTAIN ON THE SPOT ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF BENTONVILLE - THE EFFECTS OF DWIGHT DIVINE

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This grouping includes a Kepi, a greatcoat, a sash and a pair of "full dress" epaulettes all belonging to 2nd Lieutenant to Major Dwight Divine, 143rd New York Infantry. For the history of the 143rd New York infantry please follow this link (https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/new-york-regiments-and-batteries/143rd-new-york/). I could give you a description of this soldier's history but to really appreciate Divines record please open the following detailed link which gives the soldier his due in the greatest of detail (Major Dwight Divine (1841-1933) - Find a Grave Memorial).

THE KEPI: The officer's kepi, unadorned for field service, is the one Dwight Divine wore as a 1st lieutenant and regimental quartermaster when his regiment was serving as part of the 3rd Brigade, 20th Corps (Army of the Cumberland) April 1864 to war's end. The kepi's is made of very dark blue wool almost black broadcloth. The kepi has a height in front of 2 3/4 inches rising to 5 1/2 inches at the top rear. The top round inset, or a disc, is similarly covered in dark blue/black wool and measures 5 inches in diameter and is firmly affixed to a thick stiffened piece of cardboard. Randomly dotting the cap are a very few small insect nips but these are all negligible. There is an insignia of the silver embroidered regimental number "143" on the front that measures 1 inch by 1/2 inch. And in the center of the crown's disc is a 5-pointed red felt star that has silvered metallic embroidery along its arms. The peak or bill of the kepi is made of 1/8-inch-thick leather that was blackened and then varnished aka patent leather. It has a machine sewn blackened cloth binding extending along its entire perimeter. The peak is 6 1/2 inches across and has a depth of 2 inches. Other than age crazing this peak is perfect. The functional chinstrap is made of leather, and it is blackened and 100% intact. It is held in place by 2 small brass eagle "I" officer's buttons with 90% gilt. These buttons have not been resewn and are too tight to the chinstrap to see the back marks, but they are pre-1865 manufacture. The interior of this kepi is lined in black turning brown polished cotton that can be adjusted at the crown by a drawstring. The black leather sweat band is 90% intact and shows wear from use. It is 1 1/2 inches high. There are a couple of very minor tears on the sweat band. The sweat band is whipstitched into place with un-mercerized cotton thread of which only a very few of the dozens are torn loose.  Between the bill and the sweat band there is a folded "lip" of black felt covering that junction. The size is about 7 1/4.

THE OVERCOAT: Or great coat is very impressive showing real world use but remaining in excellent condition. It is unique in ways that make it very desirable. Made of a heavy weight wool "felt" it is navy-blue in color. It has a 2-inch fold-down collar that is trimmed in a green/black wool blend tape. The tape is 3/4 of an inch wide in most places and less than 1/2 inch wide in places like the cuff ends. This taping extends down the front of this double-breasted overcoat and around the bottom. It can also be found around the 8-inch-long vertical slashes for the deep wool lined side pockets where it exhibits a decorative "Hungarian Knot" pattern. The front of the coat closes with 10 large gilt eagle "I" officer's buttons of which 8 remain all back marked "WATERBURY BUTTON Co.". There is a slit in the rear 14 inches long that is decorated with taping in the Hungarian Knot pattern. The coat is unlined as tailored but the sleeves which have the wool blend tape at the cuff ends are lined in brown polished cotton.  With it and an integral part of it is the dark blue wool felt cape. It is unlined and is 26 inches long. It has 6 small eagle officer "I" buttons on the front for closure. Of these 4 remain. Around the top circumference are five slits, all decorated with black/green tape. These are there to facilitate attachment to the overcoat with its 5 corresponding small eagle "I" officer buttons (4 remain) below the collar at the shoulders. The cape like the overcoat is taped all around with the goods of black/green wool. The overall condition, although showing field use, is fine with some losses mostly at the cuffs and a few small "in the field" repairs. It is all hand sewn. Pinned at one time to the overcoat, now separate, is a very old, typed tag 3 inches by 1 1/2 that reads: "CIVIL WAR COAT worn by Dwight Divine, who on the battlefield of Bentonville N.C., March 19, 1865, was promoted Captain and later commissioned Brevet-Major.".

THE EPAULETTES: The body of these 2 full dress epaulettes is a ribbed gold colored material. Around the edges is bright gold bullion with an inner and outer border of gold bullion. The gilt raised brass "clamshell" is surrounded by two thin rows of gold bullion while the heavier border is made of gold bullion. The multiple tassels are made of thin, twisted gold bullion. In the center of the clamshell is a raised round pillow of dark blue felt upon which in silver bullion is " 143". It is outlined in both gold and silver bullion cord. A single silver bullion bar adorns the epaulette(s) signifying lieutenant rank. The undersides are covered with yellow silk that bears a paper label which reads: "HORSTMANN BROs & ALLIEN. NEW YORK" and "MILITARY GOODS". The condition of the epaulettes is perfect. There is the usual light wear to the silk undersides but nothing serious. These attached to the shoulders of the full-dress uniform by means of a 2-inch-long brass hook. The "Japanned" tin box is slightly worn on top and sides but is otherwise in good condition with working latch and handle. Glued to the lid is a piece of paper with a handwritten description yet to be deciphered.

THE SASH: The sash, a wool and silk blend, still exhibits a rich, vibrant maroon color and is approximately 6” wide and 115 inches long including the tassels at the ends. The tassels are 8 ½ inches long themselves. It exhibits little wear or discoloration. It is in its original cardboard box with labels from "J.H. McKENNEY & Co" of New York City. Price $10. The condition of the sash is perfect.

This is a wonderful grouping that was on display at The Texas Civil War Museum. [pe][ph:L]

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