CA. 1870S KU KLUX KLAN HOOD AND ITS OWNER'S U.C.V. PARADE COAT
Especially rare ca. 1870s Ku Klux Klan hood belonging to 2nd Lt. Daniel C. Jones, a member of Rice's Tennessee Light Battery (first organized as 38th Tenn. Infantry) which served in Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry and fought at Brice's Cross Roads. It continued with Forrest during Hood's Campaign. The 11" x 19" hood is typical of those used in the earliest days of the Klan: it consists of nothing more than a white pillow case with eye openings sewn about the edges. What appear to be openings for the nose and mouth is actually damage caused by moisture, rodent damage, etc. The hood could be pulled over one's head, but more often the top was tucked under a head and the bottom between the collar and the wearer's neck. Set into a fram for protection. This important relic was discovered hidden in the pocket of a very early and rare United Confederate Veterans (U.C.V.) parade coat with sash and parade rosette which also belonged to Lt. Jones (included). The blue-gray wool coat is fully lined, with five brass buttons affixed to the front lettered in relief: "C. S. A. 1861-65" with a Confederate battle flat at center. A 5 3/4" wide red and white satin sash runs the length of the front and back of the garment and bears gold text: "PARADE REVIEW" on the front. The sash also bears fancily-folded rosettewith gold sequined star at top, and a red cloth rosette at bottom. A Ku Klux Klan William Joseph Simmons Hero Cross is affixed to the righ breat, though this may be a collector's later addition and a recast. There are scattered small moth holes which do not greatly detract, else very good. Sold with a collector's letter of provenance along with a copy of the letter which he received from a man who purchased these items from an estate. Jones' association with Forrest is telling, the latter having been one of the founders of the Klan.