This impressive officer's forage cap was worn during the Civil War by Assistant Surgeon John C. Wilson 68th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry aka "Scott's Legion". Wilson was at Gettysburg! Dating 1862 to 1864 inclusively the condition and quality are truly wonderful. The 2-inch-high sweat band is perfectly intact with all its original sewing thread. The green-black lining is nearly perfect. The floppy crown rises 4 1/2 inches above the bound patten leather peak. Upon the front of the cap is a 2 1/2 by 2-inch badge with a beautiful gilt laurel badge and within it the silvered letters "MS" standing for Medical Service surmounting black velvet. The original chinstrap is held in place by 2 staff officer buttons. Some very minor staining and insect tracts are discernable. In addition to the above is an Ambrotype of much mustachioed Assistant Surgeon John C. Wilson actually wearing this cap with its distinctive crown and badge (reversed of course). The photo is cased and measures 3 1/2 inches by 3 inches. The spine on the casing is professionally repaired. This cap and photo came directly from the Wilson family decades ago! Wilson's service mirrors that of the 68th Pennsylvania up until his resignation October 22, 1864.

"Organized at Philadelphia August 1862. Left State for Washington, D.C., September 1, 1862. Camp at Arlington Heights till October. Moved to Poolesville, Md., and attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army Potomac, to March 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army Potomac, to April 1864. Provost Guard, Army Potomac, to April 1865. Hart's Island, N.Y., Harbor, Dept. of the East, to June 1865.

SERVICE: March up the Potomac to Leesburg, thence to Falmouth, Va., October 11-November 19, 1862. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Burnside's 2nd Campaign, "Mud March," January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth till April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 13-July 24. BATTLE Of GETTYSBURG July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. Wapping Heights, Va., July 23. Duty on line of the Rappahannock till October. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Auburn October 13. Auburn and Bristoe October 14. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Kelly's Ford November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Payne's Farm November 27. At Brandy Station till April 1864. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7. Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 12. Assigned to provost duty at Meade's Headquarters April 18. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Spotsylvania C.H. May 8-21; Guinea Station May 21; North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Garrison and provost duty at City Point, Va., June 18, 1864, to April 1, 1865. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Occupation of Petersburg April 3. Moved from before Petersburg to Hart's Island, N.Y. Harbor, April 1865, and duty there guarding prisoners till June. Mustered out June 9, 1865.
The regiment lost during service 10 Officers and 61 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 51 Enlisted men by disease. Total 122."

A museum quality piece of headgear that is totally unaltered!  [pe] [ph:L]

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