CHASSEUR STYLE OFFICER’S KEPI OF MAURICE LEYDEN, THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY

CHASSEUR STYLE OFFICER’S KEPI OF MAURICE LEYDEN, THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY

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$6,500.00

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Item Code: 1268-777B

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This kepi, along with several other items, came directly from the Leyden family in 1998 and within a few months was in the Ray Richey collection.  Maurice Leyden was 22 years of age when he enrolled at Syracuse in the military June 12, 1861. By July of 1861 he was a second lieutenant of Co. B Third New York Cavalry (aka Van Alan Cavalry). On June 12th, 1863, he was promoted to a 1st lieutenant. His service was that of the 3rd New York cavalry's. Please refer to this link (https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/new-york-regiments-and-batteries/3rd-new-york-cavalry/). Leyden was captured in action at Darbytown road near Richmond. This was the last advance by the Army of Northern Virginia north of the James River.  The battle began successfully at dawn on October 7, 1864, as the combined Confederate assault overpowered the Union cavalry stationed on Darbytown Road. Two hours elapsed before the attack could continue, however, giving Union Gen. Alfred H. Terry time to redeploy his division to face the Confederate attack in the fields just north of there. The attack soon fell apart, and the remnants of the Confederate force withdrew west to their original defensive lines. Lee’s last advance north of the James River resulted in more than 1,000 Confederate casualties while the Federals suffered fewer than 500. Leyden was subsequently confined in three rebel prisons, Salisbury, Danville and Libby. On February 22, 1865, he was paroled and officially exchanged April 1, 1865. He was given a captain's commission in absentia December 22, 1864, retroactive to October 10, 1864. Leyden returned to the 3rd New York cavalry as a captain shortly after April 1, 1865. Within 3 months he transferred to Co, B 1st Mounted Rifles.  The designation of the regiment was changed to the 4th Provisional Cavalry on September 6, 1865. On November 29, 1865, he mustered out with his company. In January 1866 he was brevetted a major of US volunteers. Please click on this link for more on this interesting soldier (Emerging Civil War). After the war he was also variously president of the American Dental Association, the Rochester Savings and Loan Association and the Davis & Leyden dental equipment manufacturing company, Monroe County Clerk, first secretary of the Rochester Title Insurance Company and supervisor of Rochester's 8th Ward and was active in the GAR and the 3rd NY Cavalry Association. He died in 1906.

Leyden's major's cap is in excellent condition. Known as a "chasseur style" officer’s kepi, defined by the inset crown and short sides popularized by the French light infantry. These were commercially made for private purchase, mostly by officers, who had to furnish all their own uniforms and gear. This shows the commonly encountered features of the pattern such as the flat visor with bound edge and a narrow, non-functional, chinstrap secured by two small size tin backed eagle officer buttons. The interior shows it to be a high-quality product with a green/black silk lining that is also quilted on the underside of the crown. The crown inside is gold embossed with a spread eagle over "COLOR WARRENTED".  The interior beneath the lining is stuffed with raw cotton. This interior lining is 99% intact and shows staining from use. The black leather sweatband is complete and securely in place with a couple of open areas only. The exterior of the cap is trimmed with three rows of narrow 1/8-inch black wool braid running around the lower band of the cap, up all four sides an over the fold of the crown where it meets a single row running around the edge of the inset top. Within this circle is a quatrefoil of three braids. These corresponds to the U.S. regulations for sleeve braid on officer overcoats with three strands marking a major. Sewn to the 3-inch-high front is a 1 3/4 inch by 2-inch patch of black velvet which has embroidered into it a gold metallic bullion wreath. Within the wreath is embroidered in silver metallic letters "US". The exterior of the broadcloth navy blue cap is flawless. When commissioned a brevet major Leyden purchased this kepi.   [pe][ph:L]

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