This is a very good example of an original Civil War Union army regulation Model 1858 Forage Cap. These descended from the army shako of the 1850s, which lost its shape from use and exposure to the elements, and morphed into the designated “fatigue” cap in 1858 with the brimmed (“Hardee” or “Jeff Davis”) serving for dress, although that distinction was often lost in practice. Bearing some resemblance to the nattier kepi with an inset crown, they received differing reviews from soldiers, but probably every Union soldier was issued one at some point and most would have gone through several. This the “Type-II” configuration in some collectors’ terminology, using a larger crown and flatter visor than the “Type-I,” and still bears a great paper maker’s label on the underside of the crown reading, “SIZE No. 4 / 7 1/8 / U.S. ARMY / L. J. & I. PHILLIPS.”

The fabric and color is excellent. There are some minor storage dust, a couple of small rubs and some scattered moth nips, but no appreciable losses or open seams. The visor is firmly attached. The side buttons and chinstrap are there. The chinstrap uses a fixed friction buckle and may be a replacement. The corps badge is red wool with good color, but some dirt or a dark stain at bottom and a few moth nips. It follows the style of some commercial badges, has jaceron wire near the edge and has the more elongated diamond shape of the 3^rd Corps badge as used in later 1863 to the dissolution of the corps in Spring 1864, but we cannot be sure of its age or when it was added.

The interior of the cap is very good as well and the cap looks near unissued. The sweatband is complete and has just a few loose stitches. It shows some discoloration, so it might have been worn, but it could not have been for long. The polished cotton lining is complete and in place, showing slightly different shading on the panels from using different bolts of fabric. The underside of the crown preserves the L.J. & Phillips maker’s label mostly intact. Lewis J. and Isaac Phillips were the sons of J.D. Phillips, who emigrated from England to the U.S. in 1833 and was in the fur business. They jumped into the military cap business with both feet in 1861, securing large U.S. contracts, as well as selling to state and private groups and subcontracting for caps to others, like Murphy and Childs, who had obtained their own contracts. Their totals for caps in U.S. contracts ran to 35,000 in 1861, 175,000 in 1862, 251,000 in 1863, 330,200 in 1864, and 50,000 in 1865.

This cap displays very nicely and the badge shows some good color and age, giving an idea of how it looked in the field. The maker’s label is a real bonus. Needless to say, if you are looking for the typical Civil War Union army forage cap it will likely be one by that firm. [sr] [ph:m]

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