11th NEW YORK INFANTRY BIB FRONT SHIRT (THIRD FIRE DISTRICT) CERTAINLY WORN AT BULL RUN

11th NEW YORK INFANTRY BIB FRONT SHIRT (THIRD FIRE DISTRICT) CERTAINLY WORN AT BULL RUN

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$7,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1313-03

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To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
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Call it a " Fire Shirt" or "War Shirt" it is striking!

The Eleventh Regiment Infantry Regiment, New York State Volunteers, or "First Fire Zouaves" sometimes, called the "Ellsworth Zouaves," was created very early in the first year of the war from disparate fire companies of New York City. The regiment was under the overall command of the soon to be martyred Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth; personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. Prior to the war Ellsworth had taken the lead in promoting the Zouave craze. Please click on this link (11th New York Infantry Regiment - Wikipedia.). This regiment was heavily engaged at the 1st Battle of Bull Run or Manassas (named after the Sephardic Jew Manasseh an innkeeper nearby). Bull Run was the first full-scale battle of the Civil War. Please view this marvelous website (11th New York Infantry | First Bull Run | The Manassas Campaign, Virginia, July 21, 1861). A Confederate victory, the fierce fight there forced both the North and South to face the sobering reality that the war would be long and bloody. Prior to this Colonel Ellsworth was shot and killed in the city of Alexandria Virginia by inn keeper Jackson for taking down his Confederate flag. Please click on this link (Eleventh New York Infantry Regiment).

A WORD ON NEW YORK CITY FIRE COMPANIES: As early as the year 1731 New York City and its environs had Volunteer fire companies. By the mid-19th century there were "Hose", "Engine", "Hydrant" and "Hook and Ladder" companies to fight fire. In addition to fighting fires these volunteers often formed militia companies. These companies were clothed in militia style uniforms fashioned very closely to their fire service dress. The differences being in headgear and trousers while the "fire shirt" in a more martial form with military buttons was copied. In drilling the men carried firearms and the officer's swords. Firemen also had special "parade" fire uniforms, but these consisted of the ornate fire helmet, much sought after by collectors today, and shirts adorned with civilian or firefighting specifically designed buttons. When Lincoln in 1861 called for 75,000 volunteers companies began forming in the North. These companies would typically offer their services to a then forming regiment. Companies formed often were pre-war militia organizations; these were in many cases drilled as Zouaves. Please see this link (Zouave - Wikipedia). This is reflected in their uniform choice which was both fire and zouave inspired. Company C Third Fire district was raised by Captain M.M. Murphy. The company was accepted in state service for two years at New York City, New York County, New York, 20 April 1861, and was mustered in United States service for two years at Washington, D C on 7 May 1861. These early war red bib front shirts, varying from company to company, were worn at the battle of First Manassas! In fact, it is a sad but true fact that on July 21, 1861, the victorious Confederates made it a point to track down and capture or kill Union soldiers wearing the "red shirts". Please review this link (11th New York Infantry Regiment's Civil War Historical Sketch :: New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center).

THE SHIRT: Made of red felted wool it has a rollover collar. The lower edge of the shirt has a draw string. There are two hooks and eyes between the lower edge and the bottom of the plastron. The plastron or bib front is shield shaped and sewn in place on the wearer's left. It has 7 large US eagle "EXTRA QUALITY" buttons to facilitate closure but originally had eight; the top center one is missing. All the remaining 7 are held firm with their original sewing un-mercerized cotton thread. The bib's center is decorated with a large 4 1/2 by 3-inch black felted woolen number "3"; Company C Third Fire District. The cuffs are not trimmed but the stitching slants upward to form a half-chevron to the seam and each sleeve has 2 small eagle buttons (these were missing but recently added by our restorer). The are some scattered minor insect nips. The red color remains vibrant. Typically, a short zouave style jacket would have been worn over the shirt but in the July heat at Bull Run "a majority fought in their shirt sleeves".

This wonderful battle shirt was formerly on display at the now closed Texas Civil War Museum. Prior to Mr. Ritchie acquiring this over 30 years ago it came directly from a family estate sale in Brooklyn, NY. One would be hard pressed to find a more significant treasure than this one which belonged to a fighting member of Elmer Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves.  [pe]  [ph:L]

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