This exceptional group belonged to Sergeant Asa Holbrook, and consists of his chasseur-style jacket, a tintype of him in uniform, a company “roll book”, and a veteran’s pin.

Asa Holbrook enlisted on April 18, 1861. He mustered into Company F, 84th New York Infantry (14th Brooklyn) on May 23, 1861. Promoted to corporal in September of 1862, and promoted to sergeant in February of 1863. During the Chancellorsville campaign Holbrook suffered a serious gunshot fracture of the right arm on April 29, 1863. He remained in the hospital recovering from that wound until January of 1864. He mustered out on June 14, 1864 at New York City.

The blue and red chasseur jacket, with brass “ball” buttons, red “false” vest, and red sergeant chevrons is the highlight of this group. This iconic jacket screams “14^th Brooklyn”.  The coat is constructed of blue wool featuring red wool details on the cuffs, forearms, and “butt”. The jacket is lined in light brown cotton and the collar lined with leather. There are two halves of a red wool “false vest” sewn in the front opening of the jacket. The “vest” retains 12 of the 14 “ball” buttons it originally had…the top and bottom buttons missing. Each of the four red wool details (one on each cuff and two on the “butt”) originally had four buttons. All of these are missing. Each side of the front opening on the blue portion of the jacket originally held 14 buttons.  Currently there are three buttons remaining on one side and 11 on the other. Red sergeant chevrons adorn the sleeves and are definitely original to the jacket. There is significant moth damage to the jacket; mostly to the blue wool. However this piece has been professionally restored. Areas of loss due to mothing have been backed up with similar material so damage does not show. Weak seams have also been reinforced with stitches on the inside. The original U.S. and New York state inspector stamps remain in the sleeves.

The sixth plate tintype of Holbrook is housed in a patriotic case. The hinge has split and has been repaired with black cloth tape. Otherwise the case is in good shape. The image is wonderfully clear and crisp. He is sitting in a chair in uniform, with kepi, and knee-high boots. The buttons were gilted and the chevrons tinted red. The image is mounted with the typical copper mat and frame. On the back, under one of the folded-over edges of the frame, the following is scratched into the copper, “A. HOLBROOK, CO. F, NOV. 1862”.

The Roll Book is a typical Civil War soldier’s leather bound journal. The first few pages feature Asa’s name, unit and address written in pencil several times over. The next pages are filled with what appears to be a Company F roster with comments relating to deaths, transfers, desertions, etc.  Following pages are filled with lists for guard and fatigue duty separated by groups of blank pages. Other random pages are filled with miscellaneous addresses. Spine is split and many pages are loose.

The last piece is a veteran’s lapel pin. Almost ¾” in diameter, the pin features a central star. The segments between the points of the star are enameled and read “U / V / U / 1861 / 1865”.

This is a rare opportunity to own an iconic uniform from the well-known 14^th Brooklyn…one of the most famous infantry regiments in the Army of the Potomac!  [jet]

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