[CIVIL WAR]. McDowell-style forage cap belonging to Brigadier General Edward Paysan Chapin, KIA at the assault on Port Hudson, 27 May 1863.

Visor to crown 5 1/2 in. McDowell-style blue wool felt forage cap, leather visor and chinstrap with 14mm brass federal eagle general service buttons, leather sweatband, fully-lined with a quilted crown of blue silk and batting (mothing, expected wear to chinstrap and visor, deterioration to lining); 2 x 1 1/2 in. 1858 pattern general staff insignia, gold bullion wreath and silver letters embroidered on black velvet, placed low overlapping the chinstrap to maintain visibility. Printed gold label to interior crown: B.H.  Sh...metz / 236 Penn. Avenue / Washington D. C. / Color Warranted." Provenance: Don Troiani Collection (Illustrated on p. 243 of Don Troiani's Civil War Soldiers).

Identified to General Edward Payson Chapin (1831-1863), as described and illustrated in Don Troiani's Civil War Soldiers. Chapin entered the war as a captain in the 44th New York Infantry, mustering in on 6 September 1862. He was promoted to major on 2 January 1862, to lieutenant colonel on 2 May 1862, and to colonel, on 4 July 1862, resigning the same day to form the 116th New York Infantry. He was promoted again the colonel on 5 September 1862. He saw extensive action, serving in the Peninsula Campaign, and was wounded in action at Hanover Court House. With the 116th, the regiment moved south arriving in New Orleans by the end of 1862. Chapin was given brigade command on 9 February 1863, in the army of General Banks, seeing action at the Battle of Plains Store, and then again in the Siege of Port Hudson where he was wounded in the knee and killed by a headshot from a Minie ball.


The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann