3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery ID’d Officer’s Slouch Hat -SOLD

Description

This slouch hat belonged to Major John S. Stevenson, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, who mustered into service on January 15, 1862, as a captain commanding Company A, 3rd Pa. Naval Artillery, This unit changed designation to Co.A, 1st Battalion Marine & Fortification Artillery and later to 3rd Regiment Heavy Artillery. Up to April of 1863, Stevenson’s company had been stationed at Fort Delaware, and at times commanding guards on the steamer “Henry Burdan” charged with transporting Confederate prisoners. In May of 1863, Stevenson was sent to the defense of Suffolk, Va.  after the attack of Confederate General James Longstreet’s troops,  and while stationed at Suffolk, Va., Stevenson company was ambushed by Rebel guerrillas. After being knocked from his horse, he was captured and sent to Libby Prison, and paroled shortly after, and by June was serving at Fortress Monroe until November of 1863, and was largely on detached service or in command of Fortress Monroe.  During this time at Fortress Monroe, (August) Stevenson was promoted to major.

That Fall of 1863, he was part of the joint Army and Navy expedition to capture and destroy rebel troops operating on the rivers of Matthew County, Va. (Chickahominy River up to Barrett’s Ferry) Stevenson, again on-board the Steamer Henry Burdan, held command of 4 Army gunboats, as well as naval gunboats. During that expedition his unit captured 4 Confederate naval officers, some of their crew, 75 head of cattle, and destroyed a large number of boats of all descriptions.

Major Stevenson mustered out of service on July 11, 1865, and returned home to Philadelphia.

Stevenson’s slouch hat, is a high quality specimen, and shows light wear. He most likely wore this hat for dress purposes. Every thing attached to the hat is original to it, including both Hardee Eagle and 3 regiment artillery bullion insignias. The ostrich plume his held in place by a small silk cockade with cuff sized “A” button. The hat cord completes all the insignia attached.  Grosgrain trim is in fine condition, as well as the silk banding. The maroon colored sweatband (2 3/4″) shows light wear.  Similar material us use to hold the bullion insignia tight to the hat. In every way, condition is seen throughout, and certainly a most desirable example for any collection.

This hat was originally offered  in 2001 by dealer Dale Anderson, who had initially tried to sell the entire grouping of Stevensons (see photo), but do to cost for all, the group was eventually broken up, and this hat was sold back then for $13,950.00.

I have photographed the hat with the crown pushed down to form a sunken crown, and extended upward to show condition of the hat better.

Included is a large ring binder with research copies from the National Archives, etc.