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MINT IDENTIFIED BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL’S FROCK COAT AND CHAPEAU OF ALONZO ALDEN

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This sets consists of Brevet Brigadier General Alonzo Alden’s mint condition brigadier general’s frock coat with shoulder straps and his full dress “light French chapeau,” allowed for officers of the General Staff and Staff Corps” under the regulations of 1861, bearing a general’s star and New York coat of arms. Alden served in two New York regiments, the 30^th and the 169^th Infantry, had several times commanded the 169^th before his promotion to Colonel, was wounded in action twice and seriously injured in the explosion of Fort Fisher’s magazine on Jan. 16, 1865, where he had taken brigade command in the successful assault on January 15, after the mortal wounding of its first commander in the fighting. He returned to duty only partially recovered on April 27, resuming brigade command and was promoted Brevet Brigadier General in orders of May 26, 1865, giving him the rank as of January 15.

Alden had enlisted at Troy, NY, at age 26, for two years on May 14, 1861, was elected 2^nd Lieutenant of Co. I, 30^th NY, and received a commission as such dated July 4, 1861, giving him rank from May 14. He was appointed First Lieutenant and Adjutant June 10, 1862, with rank from May 28, 1862, and served with the regiment until October 2, 1862, when he was discharged for promotion to Major of the 169^th NY and commissioned Major on Nov. 10, 1862, with rank from Sept. 20. The regiment served in the Suffolk, VA, area, in the operations in Charleston Harbor, and then moved north for the campaign against Petersburg and Richmond. In fighting along the Edenton River, near Suffolk, Va., he was wounded in the neck on April 24, 1863. He was promoted Lt. Colonel March 15, 1864, with rank from Feb. 13, and to Colonel June 17, 1864, with rank dating to June 1, the day the Colonel was killed and he himself wounded in the head at Cold Harbor, according to a county history as he was planting the regimental colors on the enemy works. He returned to the regiment with that rank at the end of July. In late December they again moved south, taking part in the two expeditions against Fort Fisher. In the second attack on Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, Alden assumed brigade command when the first commander was mortally wounded, and was severely injured the next day in the explosion of the captured fort’s magazine, but recovered sufficiently to return to duty by March. He was promoted for his actions at Fort Fisher to Brevet Brigadier General on May 26, 1865 with rank effective to January 15, and was commanding the brigade at that rank when he mustered at Raleigh, NC, July 19, 1865.

Although Alden’s rank and service as brigadier general dates to wartime, this coat has some postwar characteristics such as lined fabric in the sleeves, that lead us to date it a bit later, but it is a splendid example, in excellent condition. In fact, we see only slight wear around the top of the collar and two tiny spots that were darned closed with thread on the edge of the wearer’s left lapel, between the second and third buttonhole from the bottom, and these are almost more noticeable to the touch than the eye. The coat is fully regulation- dark blue with dark blue velvet collar and cuffs, double breasted with eight buttons grouped by twos in each row, three small buttons on each cuff, two more large ones on rear waist and at the bottom of the false pocket openings in the tails- the pockets open on the inside. All the buttons are US General Staff. All appear original to the coat and a spot check shows with D. Evans & Co. backmarks. The buttons are a medium bright on the raised centers and preserve strong gilt on the rims. The shoulder straps are single-bordered, bullion embroidered, with black velvet centers, strong gilt on the borders and jaceron wire edging, with raised bullion embroidered stars showing muted silver and gold. They are secured with shoestring ties on the inside. Two narrow brackets are also in place for affixing epaulets for full dress. The interior is excellent, with full green lining in the body and skirts, with tight seams and no tears. We see just a little wear inside the pocket, which, like the collar wear is a nice sign he actually wore it. The coat also has an interior cloth belt with metal clasp, assuring a fashionably trim waist for the wearer.

The chapeau is in excellent condition as well, with ostrich plume and black cockade and embroidered New York insignia with general star in place on a dark blue ground with bullion embroidered and jaceron wire border in place. Schuyler, Hartley and Graham show the general pattern in their 1864 catalog. There is some slight rubbing to the lower edge, again, a nice sign of real use. The full sweatband and lining are in place. We see no maker’s label. One bullion and blue knot and tassel is detached from one end, but with the hat; the other is in place. Alden was appointed Brigadier General of the 10^th Brigade, National Guard State of New York, in 1866, a rank at which he served until 1877. Given the insignia, the hat likely dates early to that service, as does the coat, though use of US general staff buttons rather than state buttons could point to something even a bit earlier.

Ex-Texas Civil War Museum collection.  [sr][ph:L]

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