This beautiful chasseurs kepi has for four dark green fabric strands sewn into an elaborate quatrefoil on the crown, indicating the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The fabric is a rich dark blue broadcloth. The front of the kepi stands 2¾” in height, and 4” at the rear. The tarred leather brim is ⅛” thick and is firmly affixed to the body of the kepi. The chinstrap is supported by two plain staff buttons and is original to the kepi with its brass buckle and a single keeper. The 1½” dark leather sweatband is complete. The inside lining is polished cotton linen and the tarred top has the faint impression of the city "Boston”, all that is discernible of a maker’s mark. A few isolated moth nips do not detract from this wonderful kepi.

Alden Battey came from an old Rhode Island family. At a young teen, he took to the sea, serving aboard the U.S. frigate Raritan from 1850-1853. In September of 1862, at the age of 34 he reenlisted in the Navy and for nine months served on board the U.S.S. Santee, a sister ship to the U.S.S. Constitution, as Captain of the Fore Castle (Petty Officer).

Battey’s hat is a beautiful, classic example of an uncommonly seen piece of Civil War headgear. It was commercially made and privately purchased. As a dress hat, it was not for fatigue use, but would have been donned only on special occasions such as shore excursions or for photographs.

The hat is made of a fine dark blue wool fabric similar to that seen on many frock coats. The brim measures 10¼” across with an internal measurement of 7”. The 1⅜” leather sweatband is original to the hat. Its attachment has been strengthened by a few modern stitches. The interior liner is a dark green polished cotton, quilted with elaborate patterned machine stitching, using linen thread typical of that used in uniforms of the period. This thread was dyed with Logwood and has faded from its original black to brown. More common duty hats were lined with old cotton shirting, using the same fabric for the sweatband.

Sailors often placed stiffeners inside their hats to help them hold their shape. Often these objects were "pillows” stuffed with cotton batting, horse hair from old mattresses, or other similar material. The original tailor of Battey’s dress hat made this accommodation with a ⅜” metal spring "grommet,” a feature found only on privately purchased and higher quality pieces of naval headgear.

Finishing the hat is a 1½” silk ribbon (known as a cap tally,) hand painted with the ship’s name ‘Santee.’ The cap tally has a ribbon off to the side, sewn with three white buttons in an ornamental vertical line. While cap tallies do not appear in any regulations until 1886, they seem to have been a common feature on sailor’s dress hats, with anecdotal evidence dating as far back as 1812.

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.