1872 Forage Cap Used By G.A.R. Veteran – Gettysburg Related – SOLD

Description

1872 Forage Cap Used For G.A.R. Veteran from Allegheny City (part of Pittsburgh today), a member of Post 88.  Made by E.D. Wilt, 72 Smithfield St., Pittsburg. His company name appears on the sweatband in embossed silver, and gold embossed on the crown lining.  A size label is applied to the underside of the brim.

The wool is generally in very good condition with some scattered mothing in a few areas. The interior shows wear, but all intact,  Pennsylvania State side buttons.  A gold bullion wreath with the 88 is sewn on the front, and is original to the cap.

On October22, 1889, members of Post 88 spoke out, as well as other G.A.R. posts, concerning the erection of a Confederate monument at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, commemorating the 2nd Maryland Regiment. The Post 88 resistance would later be defeated and the monument was approved.  Obviously, healing had not come to many Union veterans, especially to Pennsylvania posts whose state was the one invaded by the Army of Northern Virginia during the Gettysburg Campaign of 1863..

The Abe Patterson G.A.R. Post 88 resolution was of Oct. 22, 1889, was reprinted two days later in the Pittsburg Dispatch. (Chronicling America).  Article from the Pennsylvania In the Civil War website. More info about this story can be found there.