Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous M1895 officers sack coat with direct-embroidered bullion collar insignia. The coat is attributed via a note in the pocket to Lieutenant A. B. Wallower who served with the 12th Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Spanish-American War.

The jacket’s collar has crossed rifles with 12 & PA for the 12th Pennsylvania Infantry, with U.S.V. to the side of each for United States Volunteers. This is a really stellar example with direct-embroidered bullion collar insignia.

The jacket is in good shape overall with its buttons all retained. There is some scattered mothing but its in great condition overall. 

The 12th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was raised in north central Pennsylvania. The unit was formed from the Twelfth Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Along with the remainder of the state's National Guard force, on April 27, 1898 the men of  the 12th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard were ordered to report to Camp Hastings at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. The unit arrived a day later, reporting with 513 men. On May 4, Governor Hastings reviewed the unit. After some additional recruiting, required since 5 officers and 118 men declined to volunteer for federal service and their spaces had to be filled, the various companies were mustered into the federal service between May 11 and May 13, officially becoming the 12th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. At the time of muster in, the 12th Pennsylvania consisted of thrity-six officers and 604 enlisted men. 

The unit remained at Camp Hastings until May 19, when it was ordered to Camp Alger, just outside of Washington, D.C. at Falls Church, Virginia. Here the unit was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division or the Second Army Corps. While the 12th was at Camp Alger, the companies were ordered to be increased in size to include 109 men each. Eventually the unit would grow to include 36 officers and  829 enlisted men. While at Camp Alger, the unit spent its time in drill and on many practice marches. The crowded and cramped conditions at the camp led to unsanitary conditions, and typhoid fever began to appear. The unit's camp was eventually relocated to improve the health of the men.

On August 17, the Twelfth Pennsylvania was provided with a set of regimental colors, the gift of J. Henry Cochran of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The event was somewhat anti-climatic. The fighting portion of the war ended with an armistice between Spain and the U.S. a few days before. On August 29 the unit was ordered back to Pennsylvania, to Camp Meade at Middletown, Pennsylvania.

The men of the 12th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry were given a thirty day furlough, with the regiment reassembling on October 19.  The unit stayed in service long enough to take part in the Peace Jubilee held at Philadelphia on October 27, 1898. The Twelfth Pennsylvania was finally mustered out on October 29, 1898. At the time of muster out, the unit consisted of thirty-six officers and 867 enlisted men.

This is a really stellar named officers coat, ready for further research and display!