“UNDRESS” SHELL JACKET OF MAURICE LEYDEN, THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY

“UNDRESS” SHELL JACKET OF MAURICE LEYDEN, THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY

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$6,500.00

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Item Code: 1268-777FF

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This shell jacket, along with several other items, came directly from the Leyden family in 1998 and within a few months was in the Ray Richey collection.  Maurice Leyden was 22 years of age when he enrolled at Syracuse in the military June 12, 1861. By July of 1861 he was a second lieutenant of Co. B Third New York Cavalry (aka Van Alan Cavalry). On June 12th, 1863, he was promoted to a 1st lieutenant. His service was that of the 3rd New York cavalry's. Please refer to this link (https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/new-york-regiments-and-batteries/3rd-new-york-cavalry/). Leyden was captured in action at Darbytown road near Richmond. This was the last advance by the Army of Northern Virginia north of the James River.  The battle began successfully at dawn on October 7, 1864, as the combined Confederate assault overpowered the Union cavalry stationed on Darbytown Road. Two hours elapsed before the attack could continue, however, giving Union Gen. Alfred H. Terry time to redeploy his division to face the Confederate attack in the fields just north of there. The attack soon fell apart, and the remnants of the Confederate force withdrew west to their original defensive lines. Lee’s last advance north of the James River resulted in more than 1,000 Confederate casualties while the Federals suffered fewer than 500. Leyden was subsequently confined in three rebel prisons, Salisbury, Danville and Libby. On February 22, 1865, he was paroled and officially exchanged April 1, 1865. He was given a captain's commission in absentia December 22, 1864, retroactive to October 10, 1864. Leyden returned to the 3rd New York cavalry as a captain shortly after April 1, 1865. Within 3 months he transferred to Co, B 1st Mounted Rifles.  The designation of the regiment was changed to the 4th Provisional Cavalry on September 6, 1865. On November 29, 1865, he mustered out with his company. In January 1866 he was brevetted a major of US volunteers. Please click on this link for more on this interesting soldier (Emerging Civil War). After the war he was also variously president of the American Dental Association, the Rochester Savings and Loan Association and the Davis & Leyden dental equipment manufacturing company, Monroe County Clerk, first secretary of the Rochester Title Insurance Company and supervisor of Rochester's 8th Ward and was active in the GAR and the 3rd NY Cavalry Association. He died in 1906.

This unique shell jacket was probably made early in the war for issue to troopers of the 3rd New York Cavalry.  All hand sewn this hip length navy blue kersey shell jacket is in near perfect condition on the exterior with minor insect nips. The 1 3/4-inch-high stand-up collar is piped with yellow in seam broadcloth that has faded to white. There is an iron hook and eye to facilitate closure. The front has 8 New York staff officer state seal "EXCELSIOR" buttons while the eight buttonholes are all hand whipstitched. The yellow piped working cuffs were designed with 2 button loops each side and have 2 cuff size New York staff officer state seal "EXCELSIOR" buttons. All buttons on the coat have matching Waterbury back marks and all are pre-1865. The sleeves balloons to 8 inches at the elbow and are 6 inches across at the cuff. The back of the jacket at the bottom has 2 half triangle shaped "pillows" that would ideally support a belt. There is also evidence of two 5 inch by 1 inch cloth strips on right and left running from the hip back these may have been there to prevent belt chaffing. The interior of the jacket is totally lined with a course unbleached muslin. Besides "LT. M. LEYDEN" inked in upright capital letters there are several stampings among them: "3W"; "B 76 VM" and "L 2708". These markings may be of European origin, and it is therefore possible this jacket is an import. The interior shows signs of wear but is in excellent condition. On each shoulder are sewn gold bullion embroidered on yellow velvet captain's straps, these measure 3 inches by 1 1/4 inches.  One must conclude that this is Leyden's "undress" or field (battle) jacket that he drew from regimental stores and wore until war's end.    [pe][ph:L]

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