A PRIVATE PURCHASE 1858 FORAGE CAP OF THE 5th RHODE ISLAND INFANTRY

A PRIVATE PURCHASE 1858 FORAGE CAP OF THE 5th RHODE ISLAND INFANTRY

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$3,950.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-2211

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

Commercial or private purchase caps were simply those purchased rather than issued by the government. They might more or less follow contract patterns with the purchaser able to suit his taste and wallet. This cap, which rises 4 inches in front and 6 inches in back, is made of a superior quality navy-blue broadcloth. It varies from the issue patterns in other ways as well. The flat 1/8-inch-thick stiff visor has a bound edge and is black Patent leather on the top while the underside has a matt finish and was dyed green (now faded) on the underside; this was done to cut down on glare. The bill is 1 3/4 inch deep. The 1 1/4-inch-high sweatband is 100% intact and hand whip-stitched into place. It is a better quality than the usual goat skin of contract caps. The interior is lined with black silk rather than the usual simple polished cotton and additionally it is quilted on the underside of the crown. The crown is 5 1/2 inches in diameter. The cap is in very good condition with scattered very tiny moth holes. All the seams are good. The cap shows just light wear. The interior lining shows some tears to the black silk fabric but is 95% intact. The adjustable Patent leather chinstrap is secured with war time Rhode Island state seal side buttons that are original to the cap. On the top front of the crown of the cap is a 3/4 inch by 1/2-inch stamped brass numeral "5"; this has never been off this hat. This in conjunction with the side buttons would indicate the cap was worn by a member of the 5th Rhode Island Infantry.

The 5th Rhode Island Infantry Regiment was organized at Providence, Rhode Island, as battalion of five companies and mustered on December 16, 1861. An additional five companies were raised afterward and mustered on December 27, 1862. The 5th Rhode Island Infantry Regiment ceased to exist in July 1863 when it was reorganized as Heavy Artillery. There service was as follows: "Burnside's Expedition to Hatteras Inlet and Roanoke Island, N.C., January 7-February 8, 1862. Battle of Roanoke Island February 9. At Roanoke Island until March 11. Expedition up Currituck Sound February 19. Advance to New Berne March 11–13. Battle of New Berne March 14. Operations against Fort Macon March 19-April 26. Moved to Havelock Station, Atlantic & North Carolina Railroad, March 19–20. Companies A, B, and C to Newport Barracks March 23, then the battalion moved to Carolina City April 4. At Bogue Banks April 6–30. Camden, South Mills, April 19. At Fort Macon April 30-June 30. At Beaufort, N.C., until August 7, and at New Berne until December. Expedition to Tarboro November 2–12. Rawle's Mills November 2. Demonstration on New Berne November 11. Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro December 11–20. Kinston December 14. Whitehall December 16. Goldsboro December 17. Duty at New Berne until May 1863. Expedition to relief of Little Washington April 7–10. Duty in the defenses of New Berne until July..."

This is a nice piece of Civil War headgear that could have been worn by an enlisted man, an NCO or even a lieutenant.   [pe][ph:L]

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