Offered is a Mexican superior officer's epaulette that was captured by Lieutenant Julius Adolphus DeLagnel during the Mexican War of 1846 to 1848.  DeLagnel (also spelled deLagnel) was born on July 24, 1827, in Newark, New Jersey. His father of the same name had been an army ordnance officer of some importance. Julius and his brother eventually moved to Alexandria, Virginia. In 1847, Julius was commissioned into the United States Army as a second lieutenant a regular in the US artillery without having attended West Point. This was as a result of the esteem in which his father was held, and nepotism. In October of 1847 he sailed to Mexico and served for several months there with the 2nd US Artillery. Upon his return he continued his military service until circumstances changed. On May 17, 1861, Julius resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and joined the Confederate service as a captain in the Virginia artillery. He subsequently served as major in the 20^th Virginia Artillery Battalion until he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assigned as second in command of the Confederate Ordnance Service under Brigadier General Josiah Gorgas, inspecting Confederate arsenals. He was paroled in Greensborough, North Carolina on April 26, 1865.

After the war, he worked for the Pacific Steamship Service and in 1903 he sold his mansion on Prince Street in Alexandria to be used as a home for veterans. Julius died on June 3, 1912, at the age of 84. The epaulette was passed down by a descendant until it was donated to the Valetine Museum of Richmond Virginia in 1945 along with his Mexican War uniform and his brother Johnston’s Confederate officer’s uniform. These items were recently de-accessioned.

This silver superior quality heavy bullion epaulette is certainly of French manufacture. It is a fact the Mexican government, under Santa Anna, depended on the French for uniforms and accoutrement back as far as 1821. It was from the British that they imported their firearms. It appears that sterling silver bullion wire has been used throughout on this shoulder board which is the exact pattern used by the French in the Napoleonic Wars. The use of silver indicates Mexican Militia or Irregular cavalry. The quality and substance indicate use by a general officer. Perhaps with some digging the circumstances under which this rare piece was captured will come to light? Mexican uniforms and regalia of the 1821 to 1848 period are extremely rare. [pe] [ph:L]

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