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SLOUCH HAT OF ARTILLERY OFFICER A.N. PARSON'S VI (6th) CORPS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
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$12,500.00
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 1268-546
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This slouch hat has "IT", that is the look and feel of a hat worn in combat. The owner Lieutenant to Captain Augustine N. Parsons saw plenty of that in the 1st New Jersey Light Artillery, Battery A.
NEW JERSEY 1ST LIGHT ARTILLERY (Three Years): This battery was mustered into service on Aug. 12, 1861, at Hoboken, which place it left on the 20th for Washington, where it arrived the next day and after being filled up and supplied with the necessary horses, equipment and arms, it proceeded to Fairfax seminary, where it was attached to Kearny's brigade. The first battle in which it was engaged was that of West Point, where it displayed great gallantry and won the highest encomiums. It was next engaged at Mechanicsville; participated in the severe engagement at Gaines' mill, having reported to Col. Taylor, commanding the 1st N. J. brigade, and being by him placed on the right of the brigade, Prince de Joinville, of Gen. McClellan's staff, accompanying the command to its position, which was in an open field some 200 yards from the woods occupied by the Confederates and in which an infantry fight was in progress. At Chantilly the battery was posted on the road between that place and Fairfax Court House on the right of Gen. Kearny's division. Thence it followed the retiring Confederates through Burkettsville to Crampton's gap, participating in the attack upon the enemy at that point and winning fresh honors by its gallantry. It then proceeded to Antietam, where it again performed distinguished service.
During the three days' battle of Fredericksburg the battery remained in one position, doing effective service and finally withdrawing with the rest of the army. In the several engagements incident to the Chancellorsville campaign the battery fired about 1,200 rounds and fully sustained its reputation. It also did valiant service at the battle of Gettysburg and subsequently it participated in the Mine Run demonstration, returning to camp at Brandy Station, where it remained during the winter, receiving before the spring campaign some 80 recruits. On May 4, 1864, Gen. Grant having matured his plans for an advance against the enemy, the battery marched to Chancellorsville, moving on the following morning to the right of that point, passing Robertson's tavern. It was moved on the 7th to Piney Branch Church, where it remained in reserve until the 10th, when it marched to Tabernacle Church and thence to Fredericksburg, returning to the 6th corps. On the 18th it again advanced and on the 19th reached the Po River, where it participated in a heavy fight. In the advance from that point, it covered the rear of the 6th corps, crossed the North Anna on the 24th, the Pamunkey on the 28th, and reached Cold Harbor shortly after noon on June 1. There it remained until the 12th, partaking of heavy fighting, and then marched with the army to the James River, crossing on the morning of the 15th and reaching the front at Petersburg on the night of the 16th. In that position it remained, firing from time to time, until the night of the 21st, when it marched to the left of Petersburg and went into camp. On July 31 the battery was ordered to return to Trenton for muster out, its term of service having expired, but enough remained to continue the organization until the close of the war, when it was finally mustered out at Trenton on June 22, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3.
LIEUTENANT PARSON'S REPORT ON GETTYSBURG: "Gen.: I have the honor to report that on the 3d instant, about 3 p. m., I received orders from Gen. Hunt to move the battery to the front as quickly as possible. I at once obeyed the order and soon had the battery in position about one-fourth of a mile south of Gettysburg Cemetery and near the Second Division, Second Corps, Capt. Fitzhugh's battery following immediately after me and taking position on my right. At this time the enemy's infantry were advancing very rapidly. I at once opened fire upon them with case shot and fired about 120 rounds with good effect. As soon as they fell back, I opened fire upon one of the enemy's batteries (which by this time had gotten an exact range of my position) with shell, and used 80 rounds, when I received orders from Gen. Hunt to cease firing. My shells were telling upon the enemy's battery, and I believe that I could have completely silenced it in five minutes more. During the action I lost 2 men killed and 7 wounded. I also lost 3 horses killed and 2 wounded, which have since died. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, A. N. Parsons, First Lieut., Comdg. Battery. Gen. Tyler, Comdg. Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac."
CAPTAIN PARSON'S REPORT FALL OF PETERSBURG: “…About 10 p.m. of the 1st instant I opened fire upon the enemy’s picket-line-from Fort Howard with four guns, and from Fort Wadsworth with two guns-keeping up a slow fire until about 1 a.m. of the 2nd, firing fifty rounds from Fort Howard and seventy-five rounds from Fort Wadsworth. About the same time, I received orders to send two guns to Fort Welch. I at once sent Lieutenant Bonin with one section, which reached Fort Welch before daylight on the morning of the 2nd. At 11 p.m. same day I received orders to turn in two guns, and report to the commanding officer of the Artillery Brigade at 6 a.m. on the 3rd, fully equipped for a campaign.”
THE SLOUCH HAT: Is made of soft good quality black felt. The brim extends 3 inches from the 7-inch-high (when fully up) crown. The circumference of the brim is covered by 1 inch (1/2-inch top and bottom) black grosgrain that is hand sewn into place. A band of silk ribbon runs along the base of the crown. The interior 3-inch-tall sweat band is fine leather and is 100% intact held in place by hand done whipped stitching of which most stitches are in place as when made. The interior of the hat is lined in a quality maroon silk that is 100% in place. An ornate makers logo is printed or silk screened directly into the top. It says " US ARMY" in a riband that surmounts a panoply of arms and flags. On the front of the slouch hat is crossed cannon insignia. This is made of gold bullion and is 2 inches across by 1 1/2 inches high. There is a 1/4+-inch roundel of red felt in the center. On the left side of the crown halfway up is the Latin Cross of the US 6th Corps. This is red felt and 90% intact. It is 1 3/4 inches across the arms and is hand sewn into place. Condition is excellent with a few minor tears from use (folding) in the top of the crown and a 1 1/2 tear at the rear brim which has a patch on it. The red and gold bullion officer's cords are now missing but others suitable can be found.
There is no reason to believe this slouch hat was not worn for Parson's over his 3 years of gallant service. The fine condition bespeaks careful storage in the years following the Civil War. Like so many of our offerings this hat was on display at the Texas Civil War Museum. [pe][ph:L]
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