[CIVIL WAR]. 52nd Massachusetts Volunteers forage cap and tinware. 

Visor to crown 4 1/4 in. 1858 Model dark blue wool forage cap with tarred leather visor, leather chinstrap with 14mm brass general service eagle buttons, embossed leather sweatband, brown polished cotton lining (mothing, light soiling, loss of tarring to visor, sweatband partially separated from visor/hat); 1/2 in. die-struck brass regimental numbers (thread visible to secure the "5," minor tarnish). Underside of visor inscribed, "T.M. No. 58." Provenance: Don Troiani collection (related by consignor).

After enlisting in the fall of 1862, the 52nd Massachusetts traveled by ship to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and took part in a demonstration against the Confederate fortress at Port Hudson as Admiral Farragut attempted to run a squadron of warships up the Mississippi River on March 13th. The 52nd Massachusetts then participated in General Nathaniel Banks' 1863 summer offensive up Bayou Teche, where it mostly helped loot plantations of cotton and ship it back to New Orleans from Barre's Landing. In June, it joined the siege at Port Hudson, taking part in the assaults on June 14th. The regiment remained at the siege until the fort's surrender on July 9, 1863. Its term having expired, the 52nd Massachusetts traveled by steamboat up the Mississippi to Cairo, Illinois, thence by train back to Massachusetts, where it mustered out on August 14th.

There was one soldier in the 52nd Massachusetts with the initials "T.R.," possibly corresponding to the initials inscribed on the visor underside: Truman Meekins (1825-1873). A 37-year-old farmer from Hadley, MA, Meekins enlisted as a private on 25 August 1862, mustering into Co. H on 11 October 1862. He mustered out at Boston on 21 July 1863.

[With:] Height 4 1/4 in., diameter 4 1/4 in. tin cup and diameter 9 in. tin plate (tarnish, surface scratches, some oxidization, expected signs of field use). 


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