A Civil War era handwritten tag in the internal crown reads: "This Cap was WORN by Capt. S. C. JUDSON when acting A.A. Genl on Staff of Genl Wm. H. Morris 3 Brig. 3 Div. 6 A.C. Army of the Potomac. 1863."  Seldon C. Judson enlisted in 1862, at Oswegatchie, New York to serve over three years in the 106th New York Infantry (106th New York Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War). He was mustered in as second lieutenant in Co. A in August; he was soon a 1st lieutenant and by October 1863 he held the rank of captain. The cap here offered was worn by him on the staff of General William H. Morris from some time after October of 1863 when he accepted the rank of captain upon the death of J. L. Peach. Please view this link (William H. Morris).  Judson was taken prisoner at The Wilderness on 5/6/64 and confined at Macon, GA and Columbia, SC. Paroled on 12/9/64 at Camp Asylum, Columbia, SC.  He was discharged for disability on 2/11/65.

This is a fine wool navy-blue broadcloth cap. There is scattered moth damage, but this is mostly on the left side and is not unsightly. In front the cap rises to almost 3 inches. Sewn to it is a patch measuring 1 1/2 inches long by 1 1/4 inches high. This patch is black wool backed and is embroidered with silver metallic leaves of laurel or oak within it is a gold embroidered "US". The front and sides of the cap have flat-fall gold bullion cords in pairs denoting the rank of captain. The cords also run around the circumference of the cap at the junction of the baseband and the crown. Additionally, they form a quatrefoil pattern on the top of the 4-inch inset crown disc. The bound patent leather visor is 1 3/4 inches in depth and is 6 3/4 inches in length: it has minor age losses. The functioning 100% intact chin gold bullion chin strap is held in place by 2 Union staff eagle officer buttons. The interior of the cap has embossed in the crown in gold letters is: " JAS. Y. DAVIS  356 PENN. AVENUE WASHINGTON D.C." (Davis was doing business as early as 1858 at this address, his caps were of the finest quality made for both officers and enlisted personnel. We refer you to North South Trader's Civil War Magazine Vol. 43. No.3 / 2023. Pages 22 to 37). The interior crown and the entire interior were once covered in a silk blend black cloth. This is 20% intact now and sits over a padding of raw cotton characteristic of finer made hats. The maker's mark is compromised by the old tag and age loss. The brown 1 1/2-inch-high sweat band is 95% intact; when found it was loose in spots, but our "in-house" restorer corrected this. This one has historic significance having borne witness to the monumental events of the Army of the Potomac the last 16 months of the War. Please find the attachment showing Judson probably at enlistment.  [pe][ph:L]

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