This is very good condition cap worn by a Civil War veteran who had served in the First Division of the 11^th Army Corps and added the red, crescent badge of that organization to his regulation G.A.R. cap along with the number of his post. The cap is the regulation pattern for that veterans’ organization, following the lines of the army’s shorter, nattier 1872 pattern forage cap, but suggestive enough of the wartime fatigue cap, and very much like wartime non-regulation, privately purchased chasseur pattern caps.

The cap has good color, showing just the slightest fading from legitimate use and wear, has no moth holes or damage, has a flat visor with bound edge firmly in place. The leather chintrap is present, secured by two small G.A.R. side buttons. The sweatband is in place inside, as is the cloth lining on the underside of the crown and the 2/3 length side lining with drawstring top. The crown lining shows a spot of wear at center from the top of the veteran’s head. The sweatband shows some rubbing from wear and a few loose threads, but still has its size label at the back and bears a very clear silver stamped maker’s address: “HORSTMANN BROS. & CO. / MILITARY FURNISHERS / PHILADELPHIA” showing just slight rubbing commensurate with other indications the cap was actually worn.

The Grand Army of the Republic was the largest Union veteran’s organization. Founded in 1866 and dissolved in 1956 with the death of its last member, the organization reached it highest membership of 410,000 in 1890 and was an influential political force with a natural interest in veterans’ affairs. There were a number of GAR posts numbered 284- in New York, Ohio, and Illinois to name just a few. We might expect an eastern state from the maker of the cap, and perhaps the army corps of the veteran, but that might take some serious cross-referencing. The corps had previously served as Army of Virginia’s First Corps, was redesignated in September 1862 and adopted the crescent badge in March 1863, wearing it until amalgamation with the 12^th Corps in April 1864 after their transfer to the western theatre and redesignation of the combined organization as the 20^th Corps, adopting the star badge formerly worn by the 12th. The 11^th Corps suffered in reputation during the war because of its performance at Chancellorsville, but had fought well enough at Gettysburg and the veteran was obviously proud enough of his old organization to wear its insignia.

This is a nice cap with a colorful badge that would add to a G.A.R. display or collection of 11^th Corps material.  [sr] [ph:m]

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