Lieutenant's grade officer's kepi belonging to Moses P. Richardson, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry. Richardson enlisted at the outset of hostilities, May 25, 1861. He was mustered into Company G as a private, eventually re-enlisting for the duration of the war. During his term of service he rose through the ranks to Sergeant, then Lieutenant, and was eventually brevetted Captain on March 13, 1865. He survived the war.

The 2nd Massachusetts Infantry was a hard fighting unit, seeing action at Winchester, Cedar Mountain (171 casualties including Private Richardson who was wounded), Antietam (72 casualties in Miller's Cornfield), Chancellorsville (129 casualties, including Richardson's second wound of the war), Gettysburg (140 casualties on the second and third day's fighting), Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and Averysboro, North Carolina in one of the final encounters of the Civil War.

The kepi is in good condition with fine gold braid and complete lining. Maker's label "Taylor" likely for Charles Taylor, a hatter from Boston, known to have made kepis for the U.S. Government. Fine gold braid is intact with original buttons and strap. Inside is also fine with a herringbone dark brown liner. Sweatband and lining are near perfect, only a few minor moth nips and a couple of period stitch repairs. Accompanied by notarized letter of provenance from Richardson’s grandson.

Regulation Model 1858 Dress Hat, commonly known as a Hardee Hat. This is the cavalry version of the hat that was approved for the U.S. military in 1858 by then Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Issued to all branches of the military through the early portion of the war, it was not well received by the troops and was soon replaced by the more durable kepis and slouch hats.

This hat is original with good black felt, finely woven hat band with cavalry cord in excellent condition. A large single plume is fastened on the right side of hat with the brim looped on left, fastened by brass "Jeff Davis” hat pin, matching the infantryman's regulation configuration, but non-regulation for cavalry. The devices are crossed sabers with "K” company designation above a regimental device "1” which rests below. Tarred leather is fastened atop inside of crown with maker’s label in excellent condition, reading "U.S. Army Extra Manufacture” and size 4 marking with eagle motif. The sweatband is Russian leather, partially detached but original to the hat. Minor separations along brim and base of crown.

An early war pattern McDowell forage cap with original cavalry insignia, this specimen is in very fine original condition and is a nice example of the headgear worn by Union cavalry troopers early in the Civil War. The characteristics typical of McDowell forage caps are especially evident here, with the back seam standing a full 7½” in height and 4½” at the front. The characteristic downward sloping visor is original and firmly attached to the cap, its tarred leather matches the chinstrap which is present and fully intact. The chinstrap has its original brass buckle and one keeper. The cap’s flat top is 5½” in diameter and is very fine. Sewn around the circular edge of the top is a welt of the same fabric formed by a 1/16" diameter reed. Original to the cap are the regulation cavalry insignia including crossed sabers and the regimental "4” with company I device. The brass on the insignia is untouched with a deep mellow patina.

Following the design of the French kepi, this forage cap is based on the US Model 1858 pattern and is made of what appears to be a high grade wool/cotton blend fabric, dark blue. The cap interior liner is gone, but still present is its original Russian leather sweatband, 1⅛” in width and showing some use.

Union Forage Cap known as the McDowell pattern after Union General Irvin McDowell. This is an officer’s grade cap with tarred leather sloping visor, stitched at the brim. This hat stands very tall, exceeding 6” at the rear seam and 4¼” from brim to crown at its front. The chinstrap has a brass buckle and one keeper with infantry eagle buttons on both sides. The chinstrap and visor are both tarred.

Made of fine woven wool, its original blue color has faded to a russet tan, indicating the use of the inferior logwood dye in place of the more stable indigo dye in the fabric. An embroidered infantry device is stitched on the front and a Masonic device rests on the crown. Both are original to the hat. 100% of the polished cotton liner remains, quilted at the top. Complete sweatband is present and leather is very supple. This cap is in very fine condition.

Union Model 1858 Forage Cap, aka Bummer's Cap. Fine condition with flat visor, 1/8" thickness. No apparent mothing. Fabric is fine wool and very dark blue with no fading. The crown of the cap is adorned with crossed sabers and regimental and company devices which are correct Civil War issue but added to the hat. The tarred leather chinstrap which terminates at two eagle buttons is original with a black leather bill firmly attached to cap. 100% of the polished cotton lining remains and the cardboard stiffener is still inside the crown of the hat.  The sweatband is complete and is made of a supple brown Russian leather with burlap stiffener behind.  Maker’s label inside cap reads: M & G, No. 4, N.Y.

Cavalry Officer’s slouch hat identified to Capt. Rufus W. Smith, a member of the California Battalion who fought under the flag of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry during the Civil War. The 2nd Mass. was active in pursuit of John Mosby throughout the hills of Virginia and eventually saw much action in the Eastern Theatre. This slouch hat is in fine condition with minor mothing on crown. The felt is thick and supple with wide red Russian leather interior band, brittle but original to the hat. Black cotton cockade fastener to ostrich plume with woven acorns on hat chord. Cavalry insignia sewn on front with silver "2" for 2nd Mass. Identified with period ink on inside of band, to Capt. R.W.Smith, being Rufus W. Smith whose military records accompany the hat.

Captain Smith was mortally wounded leading his cavalry company on a charge at Cedar Creek, Va. in 1864 at the approximate age of 30. Originally from Maine, Smith was a member of the California Light Guard when in San Francisco, and resigned to join Captain Eigenbrodt's Company E of the California Battalion. After the death of J. Sewall Reed, founding officer and captain of the storied Cal 100, Captain Smith was appointed to succeed Reed. Captain Smith was mortally wounded during a saber charge against Confederate infantry at Cedar Creek, Virginia on October 19, 1864. For more information on the Californians in the war, visit the excellent website hosted by Earl Robinson at http://2mass.omnica.com.