A GREAT IDENTIFIED EARLY WAR FORAGE CAP

A GREAT IDENTIFIED EARLY WAR FORAGE CAP

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$3,500.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1268-1023

The etymology suggests that this particular cap cannot be called a "Bummer's cap" because it was worn almost 2 years before the Bummers "marching through Georgia" were a thing. This is a Model 1858 "Forage Cap"  or "Army Cap"  a product of the Murphy and Griswold company of New York City who had several wartime contracts from 1862 to 1864. The 1 1/34 inch square label is in place reading, " M. & G." over "No.6" over "N.Y.". Made of dark blue Kersey the front rises to 5 inches and the rear is 7 inches. The top disc is 6 inches in diameter and bears on it the numeral "6" (1 inch tall) over an 3 3/4 long brass infantry horn over a "C" (1 inch tall). All these appear to be the type found on the dress Hardee hat. The exterior condition of the cap is excellent with a very few tiny insect holes and one 1 inch long tear in the rear that is not unsightly. There is an adjustable patent leather chinstrap with a stamped brass decorative buckle that is held in place by 2 enlisted man's eagle "I" buttons. The patent leather bill or peak is 1/16th inch thick is 2 inches deep and 6 1/2 inches across. The interior leather sweat band is 100% intact with some scuffing. The brown, originally black, glazed cotton lining is all there but has pulled loose at the crown circumference . Written in period Civil War hand on the maker's label is "W. R. Blackman Me".

William R. Blackman enlisted in the 6th Maine Infantry company "C" on July 15th, 1861 for 3 years or the war. He soon became a corporal and his fortune's (up until the late summer of 1864 when he transferred to the 1st Maine Veteran Infantry) were those of the 6th Maine's. Please follow this link: (Battle Unit Details - The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service).

The cap we are offering dates prior to the Chancellorsville campaign of 1st to 6th of May 1863 (Blackman was seriously wounded at the 2nd Fredericksburg Battle. Second Fredericksburg Battle Facts and Summary | American Battlefield Trust.). We know this because not only is the cap an early contract cap, but there is no 6th Corps badge on it. Nor was there ever one on this particular cap. In March 1863, corps badges were ordered for the entire Army Of The Potomac. Their wearing and displaying them on army caps hence forth was required. We know by the Chancellorsville campaign, in May of 1863, even though orders can "trickle down" slowly the men of the 6th Maine were wearing corps badges on their caps. We have the photographic evidence! Please see below the picture taken of a squadron of men of the 6th taken after 2nd Fredericksburg in May 1863. They all have corps badges on the tops (Note: The picture caption mistakenly dates this photo to December of 1862, and again because of the visible corps badges, this is not possible.). To find an early war used cap in this condition is a rarity; additionally to find one identified with the inscribed name of a Union soldier who had a great combat record is really fortuitous.

From Ray Ritchie's Texas Civil War Museum collection of the very finest.  [pe][ph:L]

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