U.S. regulations provided for the recognition of officers by crimson silk sashes and provided for the recognition of the senior non-commissioned officers like the company first, or “orderly,” sergeant by a red, worsted wool sash. This is a very nice example showing just a little wear and no large holes or runs, coming from the estate of John Wesley Darbee, preserved along with one of his wife’s visiting cards, reading “Mrs. John Wesley Darbee.” There are a few scattered areas of dark colored staining.

Darbee (1841-1922) enlisted at age 21 in Rockland, Sullivan County, NY on 8/18/62 and mustered into Co. C of the 143^rd New York on 10/8/62. He was listed as a farmer, standing 5’9” and of fair complexion, with gray eyes and brown hair. Muster roll abstracts are a bit unclear, but he seems to have been appointed corporal very soon after enlisting and on 11/24/62 was sent to a general hospital in Washington, D.C. While there he was mustered into the Invalid Corps by order of the surgeon in charge of the hospital in April 1863, but this was likely to enable him to perform guard duty there rather than a permanent transfer. He may have rejoined the company soon after. The regiment was posted in Washington into April 1863, after which it took part in the defense of Suffolk, and then transferred into the 11^th Corps, Army of the Potomac. In September 1863 the corps went west, fought at Wauhatchie, Tennessee, Missionary Ridge, and took part in the relief of Knoxville. In April 1864 it was amalgamated with the 12^th Corps to form the new 20^th Corps, the 143^rd being assigned to the First Division, fighting under Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign, with its heaviest losses at Kennesaw Mountain and Peachtree Creek. It’s battle deaths during its service amounted to 5 officers and 38 men killed or mortally wounded. We can only say for certain that Darbee was present again with his company in 143^rd by October 12, 1864, when he is listed as promoted to sergeant, with the date of his promotion to First Sergeant unstated, and he was mustered out with the company on 7/20/1865 at Alexandria. Further research might uncover more definite information, but that puts him in the ranks for the regiment’s actions in the Carolinas, where it suffered losses at Averysboro, Bentonville, Goldsboro, and Raleigh.

This is a nice example of a Civil War regulation uniform piece with great condition and color that would display well in a collection devoted to the 143^rd or as part of a uniform display, where it would go great with a pair of First Sergeant chevrons, shoulder scales, and a regulation U.S. Model 1840 NCO sword.  [sr] [ph:M]

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