IDENTIFIED EARLY CIVIL WAR SUMMER HAVELOCK.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/11/2024

Exceedingly rare, white cotton duck forage cap and Havelock. Discarded and cursed as making the neck too hot or not allowing air to circulate, these British designed neck protectors were only seen briefly at the start of the War in 1861 and then rarely seen again. Most commonly associated with the Battle of Bull Run, they are an early war item that is missing from most collections. This example is named in period ink on the crown, "Joseph L. Bonn / 13th N.Y. Inf." The 13th, the "Rochester regiment," composed of eight companies from Rochester, one from Dansville and one from Brockport, was mustered into the U. S. service at Elmira for a term of three months. It left Elmira on May 29, 1861, for Washington with the 12th, and camped on Meridian Hill until June 3, when it was ordered to Fort Corcoran, where it was employed in construction work until the opening of the Manassas movement. It then became a part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia; was engaged at Blackburn's ford, and was active at Bull Run, where they lost 58 members. The regiment's service record supports the ID as his unit was where many of these originated from New York units and where they have documented use. The top is ventilated with a hole sewn into the top of the crown and a button used as the vent. The underside of the button is an oilcloth reinforcing patch. Most likely used once and then store away, this is a museum quality example of this scarce headgear. CONDITION: Excellent with only the slightest age discoloration. From a smoke free home.