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THE FORAGE CAP AND IDENTITY DISC OF CORPORAL WHITE 2ND VERMONT WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF WOUNDS

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Corporal George A. White was wearing both this cap and identification disc when mortally wounded at Spotsylvania, Virginia in 1864 serving with the 2nd Vermont Infantry (2nd Vermont Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War).

THE CAP: This cap, a private purchase or perhaps a quality State of Vermont issue, is of the "McDowell Pattern". Popularized by General McDowell, this pattern of forage was characterized by its tall body and its curved, downturned visor.  The cap is 6 inches high up the back-seam. It is 4 1/2inches tall in front. The disc on top is 5 1/2 inches in diameter. The 1/8-inch-thick Patent leather bill is 2 inches deep and 7 inches across; it is unbound.  2 eagle buttons hold the 1/2 half inch wide functional chin strap with 1-inch stamped brass buckle. On the crown of the cap is a 3 inch by 1 3/4-inch stamped brass infantry horn and within it is the number "2". There is minor insect damage in places on the blue/black Kersey cap but none of significance. The top disc uncharacteristically does not have a welt or roping of Kersey about its circumference. And it may be possible that the top was re-fitted with new material. The material shows a repaired tear at 1 o'clock and staining commiserate with great age. The dexterous hand stitching around its circumference suggests that it was done during the war. The interior of the cap is fully lined with black, now turned brown, polished cotton and this is 100% intact. The fine condition original 1 1/2-inch-high leather sweat band is in place, and it has been re-enforced by some old but not "period" stitching to hold it fast.

THE IDENTITY DISC: The stamped brass disk is about 1 inch in diameter and shows the arms of the U.S. on one side namely an eagle with raised and spread wings, holding arrows and an olive branch, with "WAR OF 1861" in raised letters in an arc at top and "UNITED STATES" at the bottom. The reverse was then personalized by the sutler or merchant selling it by stamping the reverse with the soldier’s name, unit, and hometown: " CORP. G. A. WHITE" over " CO.K. 2d REG. VT. VOL." over "PANTON". The condition is excellent showing little wear. This disc has a 1/2-inch split iron ring through it that attaches the disc to a 4 inch by 1/2-inch strip of leather. This is at its far end. It is attached to the eagle button that holds the chin strap on the right side. This was certainly done over a century ago and it is now impossible to remove this from the cap's button.

HISTORY: George A. White enlisted in the 2nd Vermont Infantry in 1861. His fortunes were those of the regiments. He was wounded at 2nd Fredericksburg during the Chancellorsville campaign in 1863 and recovered. At Spotsylvania Virginia a year later, he was dangerously wounded in the arm; as a result of this wound, he died on May 25, 1864. His cap and disc then sent home to his grieving mother were just recently discovered in New England.

This cap with its identification disc is unbelievably desirable and historic. It was worn by a hard fitting veteran at the time of his mortal wounding at no less a struggle than the "Bloody Angle" at Spotsylvania May 12,1864. Museum worthy!   [pe][ph:L]

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