Item:
ONJR23SS009

Original U.S. Civil War Massachusetts Volunteer Militia Private Purchase Chasseur Style Pattern Kepi With Officer’s Bullion Bugle Badge

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic Civil War Union Officers’ Federal Chasseur Pattern Kepi that features fabric of very fine blue wool broadcloth. The crown stands nearly 4” high at the front, 6” at the rear seam and the top is 5 ¼” in diameter, stiffened with a pasteboard beneath the lining. The body of the cap meets a band of wool seamed only at the rear and stiffened with leather. The cap's interior is lined with lovely light brown cotton and is still completely intact. The leather sweatband is 1 ½” wide. The flat visor is original to the hat, and composed of painted leather and is still completely attached. The leather chinstrap is secured on the side with two Massachusetts “MASS. VOLUNTEER MILITIA” buttons.

The front of the kepi has a lovely left facing gold bullion embroidered Officers’ bugle. The gold color is still nicely retained but is tarnished in a few areas which is as expected. The insignia itself was embroidered by hand on a separate piece of blue wool and then stitched to the face of the cap.

Overall this is a fantastic example of a State Militia used Kepi. Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Beginning in April 1864, companies of infantry were needed for guard and garrison duty along the coast of Massachusetts; to be stationed at the numerous military posts located there for a ninety-day period. With the Independent Division of Militia, a home guard militia organization, already established in the state in 1863, eight companies were recruited from their ranks, and mustered into United States service. Five other companies were detached from existing regiments of the Massachusetts Militia to finish the required roster.

Their term of enlistment soon ending, a call for 100-day companies was then ordered in July and August 1864 to fill the soon to be vacant positions at the coastal forts. Again, the state militia regiments were used to fill most of the quota, with a need to only recruit two new companies.

In late October 1864, the office of the Adjutant General released orders to the commanding officers of the "Companies of One Hundred Days Troops belonging to Massachusetts, now doing garrison duty at the forts on the coast", to reenlist their commands for one year, and to fill with new recruits any positions held by those men not choosing to rejoin. Six of the 100-day companies were re-mustered, including the 2nd Unattached Company now beginning its third term. None of the one-year companies finished a full term, as the war had come to an end, and all were mustered out by July 1865.

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