RARE HOSPITAL STEWARD’S HARDEE HAT AND MANUAL – WILLIAM HENRY COMSTCOK, 85TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS

$5,950.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 88-117

This rare Hospital Stewards Model 1858 Hardee hat designed to be worn for full or parade dress was actually worn in the field! Issued to William Henry Comstock 85 NY Volunteers in the summer of 1863 and certainly worn by him when captured by Confederate forces less than a year later at the Battle of Plymouth NC fought April 17th to the 20th, 1864. One of the "Plymouth Pilgrims" or those unfortunates bagged by the Rebels and sent to prison for the remainder of the war, most to Andersonville.

Comstock's history is as follows: " COMSTOCK, William Henry - Hospital Steward. Born 21 Sept 1840 at Bangall, Dutchess Co., NY, son of Alexander Adam & Anna Amelia (Southerland) Comstock. Enlisted 16 Sept 61 at Wellsville, NY, a 20-year-old bookkeeper. Mustered in 21 Sept 61 as Private, Co. H. Promoted 1 March 62 to Corporal. Promoted 5 July 63 to Hospital Steward. Re-enlisted 1 Jan 64. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Arrived 19 May 64 at General Hospital No. 7 (Fair Grounds Hospital), Raleigh, NC. Transferred 21 May 65. POW at Columbia, SC. Paroled. Mustered out 8 June 65 at Beaufort, NC. Married 6 May 1869 to Sally Walsworth. Died 12 March 1887. Buried in Whitesville Rural Cemetery, Allegany Co., NY." Comstock as a veteran Hospital Steward was sent by the Confederates to their General Hospital No. 7 in Raleigh North Carolina working there with the Confederates until paroled shortly after war's end.

Of great interest is the following from Wayne Mahood's book The Plymouth Pilgrims pg. 142: "On June 15 [1863], the Division drew regulation hats, "much to our disgust. They are black felt, stiff rims, one side cocked up with a brass spread eagle to keep it in place". For those of you who have seen this hat, it does look similar to the hats worn by the Mayflower Pilgrims. The regulation hat is commonly referred to today as the "Hardee" hat. It's obvious that the soldiers didn't care for this hat due to the fact that very few images can be found with "Plymouth Pilgrims" actually wearing these hats. However, they were required to wear them by General Wessells and from battle accounts, we know that the soldiers were preparing for dress parade on Sunday the 17th and were probably wearing them when the battle began."

The hat is in outstanding condition but shows period use consistent with Comstock's history as a non-commissioned officer. The front badge is a brass wreath and a white metal "US" mounted on a black oval patch. The left side of the brim is held in place by the US eagle. The feather is no longer with it. The green and tan cords are in place and about perfect. The sweat band is intact and is sewn in place by all its original thread. Inside the top reads: "US ARMY EXTRA MANUFACTURE" "3" and "Wm. H. C." is neatly painted in a white paint. There are some to be expected minor tears and a couple of professional repairs not affecting the overall wonderful look.

With the hat comes Comstock's rare manual. The Hospital Steward's Manual For The Instruction of Hospital Stewards, Ward Masters, And Attendants in their several duties. J.B. Lippincott & Co. 1863. 324 pages in excellent condition. It is inscribed inside the front covers in ink: "85 Regt. N.Y.V." and in pencil: Mw. H. Comstock Hospital Steward 85th NY." Recorded sales of this book are as high as $2200!

These two items, always together, were found over 50 years ago. They were in the collection of Dr. Edward Burka. "Brig. Gen. Edward Burka died Jan. 9, 2021. He was 90....... As a doctor in the medical corps, he voluntarily entered the Airborne-Special Forces, where he became a master parachutist. In 1958 and 1959, he was a jumpmaster at Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Germany. From 1979 to 1983, he was the U.S. Army’s Deputy to the Surgeon General for Mobilization, responsible for planning logistics for the evacuation of U.S. cities in the event of a nuclear or biological disaster. He was also an avid collector of and expert on U.S. medical military insignia, uniforms, and instruments." An important museum worthy pair.  [PE] [PH:L]

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