Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 223A:
Description
Ultra Rare New Hampshire kepi – Ultra Rare New Hampshire kepi from a Soldier from Hopkinton, NH. He mustered into service in September of 1862 and died of disease at Poolsville, MD in February of 1863 after spending the Winter guarding Washington, DC from the approach of the Confederate Army. These caps are very unique and were extremely popular with troops. Period photos, as shown here, illustrate Soldiers posing with the caps tipped toward the photographer, acting as a placard showing state affiliation, branch or service, regiment and Company, without any description. Organized in Concord, New Hampshire, on September 24, 1862, the 14th New Hampshire Infantry, known as the Granite State regiment, served until July 8, 1865. Initially, they performed picket duty near the Potomac and guarding Washington D.C. prisons. Later, they fought in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign under Sheridan, participating in battles at Winchester, Fisher?s Hill, and Cedar Creek, 1864. The regiment took heavy casualties, losing 232 men to battle and disease before mustering out in Savannah, Georgia. Rare to find in any condition, this one is exceptional for condition, identification and the fact that it was evidently returned to the family after his death and kept as a memento. This collection features an authentic US Army Model 1858 forage cap identified to Private David Harrington of Company H, 14th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. The cap is constructed of dark blue wool with a circular crown and a slouching body. The top crown displays brass insignia including a hunting horn with the number 14 inside the loop, the letter H above the horn, and the letters N, H, and V below. The interior of the cap contains a period label with the inscription David Harrington Co. H 14th N. H. V. and the number 2290. The cap is equipped with a black leather visor featuring a bound edge and a black leather chin strap secured by two brass General Service eagle buttons. The interior is finished with a brown fabric lining and a partial leather sweatband. The collection includes several period photographs, such as CDVs or tintypes, depicting soldiers from the 14th New Hampshire Volunteers wearing forage caps with the unique regimental practice of placing state initials on the crown. The 14th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry was organized in 1862 and served in the Department of the Gulf and the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign, participating in the battles of Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek.
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