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SUPERB IDENTIFIED MARYLAND OFFICER'S "PLUG HAT" AND IMAGE – THOMAS H. MARSHALL, 1ST & 2ND MARYLAND US
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$6,975.00 ON HOLD
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 1284-11
The small yet divided state of Maryland sent its sons to fight and die for the Union or the Confederacy. This rare style officer's hat was worn by Thomas H. Marshall who chose the Northern cause and enlisted in the 1st and 2nd Maryland Regiments US.
Thomas Herrington Marshall was born in Talbot County, Maryland on April 24, 1840. Both parents died in the mid-1850s, and Tom was raised by relations. Thomas Marshall enlisted in the 1st Regiment Maryland Infantry, Company A, having been mustered in on May 10, 1861, in Baltimore. His brother, George, was mustered into Company I of the same Regiment about a month later. Tom was wounded in the Battle of Front Royal, taken prisoner on May 23, 1862, and was exchanged. He later served with the 2nd Regiment Maryland Infantry, Company G as a quartermaster sergeant and 1st Lieutenant (prompted October 1864). He was honorably discharged on May 19, 1864. In the years following the Civil War, he was a member of the Hancock Post of Grand Army of the Republic and the Stephen A. Douglas Council 642, Order of Red Men. Tom Marshall moved to Chicago and built a business dealing in paper goods. He married Julia Garew between 1870 and 1872. Tom Marshall died in Chicago on January 12, 1919". From early 1864 until Appomattox Marshall's record was that of the 2nd Maryland's. For a detailed description of this regiment's service please click on this link (2nd Maryland Infantry Regiment in the American Civil war). And this excellent site (Second Maryland, U.S. Bibliography).
THE HAT. This "Plug Hat" type was very popular with military men throughout the War, but few survive today. As a preferred undress (battledress) hat field use took its toll. This rare survivor was worn by First Lieutenant Thomas H. Marshall within the last 7 months of the Civil War probably seeing action with him at: The Petersburg Siege (1864-65 including Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman, The fall of Petersburg) and the Appomattox campaign. The hat's condition is exemplary exhibiting no insect damage or tears! The "bowler" style crown of this felt hat is 5 1/4 inches high. The diameter is 8 inches at the base. Affixed to the front is a perfect 3 1/2 by 2 1/4 gold embroidered infantry officer's badge. The stump work 3 inch by 2-inch infantry horn rests on black velvet and has a silver false embroidered number "2" (Maryland regiment) within it. This device is surrounded by a gold decorative metallic wire. This is affixed to the hat by 2 iron loops that have 2 red patent leather fasteners running through the loops; these have never been removed nor will age petrification permit it now. Below the badge and surrounding the base of the crown is a black/brown silk blend band 1 inch high, it is perfect. On top of this and basted to it are mint condition gold metallic and black silk cords appropriate for a lieutenant. The round brim extends 3 inches from the crown and is finished all around with a silk grosgrain this is black but faded slightly toward brown. When found the hat had only remnants of an internal crimson silk lining. The original 1 3/4-inch glazed leather sweat band was present but due to the deterioration of the pure silk lining the compromised sweat band was 90% detached. It has now been diligently put back in place with an internal basting which is how it was originally held. In spots a water-soluble fabric cement was applied to assure greater stability. The leather is in perfect condition and if held in the right light the 1/2 inch high worn up-right capital letters "T.H.M." (Thomas H. Marshall) can be made out.
THE IMAGE. This quarter plate Ambrotype is encased and in excellent condition all around. It shows Marshall as a first lieutenant (October 1864) wearing the appropriate uniform and insignia. It is in an excellent condition decorative gold embossed leatherette case which has a professional restored spine. The case measures about 4 inches by 5 inches.
Accompanying the hat and the Ambrotype is a 60+ year old tag the reads: "OUR CENTENNIAL" over " IMAGE, LIEUTENANT'S HAT AND MILITARY COAT WORN BY THOMAS H. MARSHALL A MARYLANDER WHO FOUGHT TO PRESERVE THE UNION. LENT BY WILLIAM BLADES JR.". This was found neatly folded in the image case. The whereabouts of the uniform mentioned is today unknown. Priced fairly to sell this grouping is both historic and museum quality. Maryland Civil War items are rare and much sought after. [pe][ph:L]
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