In excellent condition, this wartime staff officer’s cap is the low-crowned chasseur style favored by many officers for its rather natty appearance. Made of medium blue wool that preserves its nap, the cap shows excellent color and virtually no moth holes or moth tracking. The chinstrap is narrow tarred leather, secured by two small eagle buttons. The standing loop on the left half-strap is missing and the small sliding stop-buckle is missing, but both elements could be replaced. The flat unbound black leather visor is firmly affixed. The front of the cap has a very nice gold and silver bullion heavily embroidered staff officer’s badge consisting of a silver “U.S.” inside a gold wreath. The colors are just slightly muted by age and a few elements of the gold wreath have oxidized slightly, but the insignia is very pleasing to the eye and the oxidation commensurate with the age of the cap.

Affixed to the center of the crown is deeply embroidered Third Division Sixth Army Corps badge. The fabric center is intact. The border consists of a thick and tall coiled bullion with a narrower bullion outer border. The inner, heavier border shows some light wear and abrasion, as is natural for the highest surface, and has generally oxidized to a muted silver, which looks quite good next to the narrower outer border that retains its gilt.

The interior of the cap rates excellent as well. The three-quarter, draw-string lining is in place and the red morocco sweatband is all there and firmly in place with just a few rubs and the slightest bit of edge wear.

Staff officers, from regimental adjutants to aides on brigade, division and corps staff were frequently under fire while performing their duties, from carrying messages and orders to directing the movements of troops. The Sixth Corps served throughout the war with the Army of the Potomac, and its history dates to the formation of army corps in early 1862 and the formation of the Third Division of the corps that Fall. The corps saw its first heavy action as a unit at Fredericksburg and Salem Church in the Chancellorsville Campaign. At Gettysburg the corps was in reserve and various elements were sent into action to plug holes. In early 1864 the division was reconstituted from the old Third Division of the Third Corps and they saw heavy action from Spotsylvania through the end of the war.

This is a superior piece of Union headgear, from a fighting organization with good history, and in great condition.  [sr]

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