Captain Frederick Wooster Owen’s Forage Cap With U.S. Staff Insignia. – SOLD

The forage cap was once part of the 3 hat lot belonging to Brevet Major Frederick Wooster Owen, a Massachusetts native who was born in Vineyard Haven (Martha’s Vineyard) on October 6. 1840.  The cap, when found with two other G.A.R. era hats, did not have the original U.S. in wreath insignia, but clearly visible was the round outline of where that insignia had been.  I restored the cap recently and added an original insignia of the same size. The cap has also had some restoration to some of the mothing in some areas on the piece.  The double rows of quatrefoil are in the rank of captain, the rank Owen held when detached to the Signal Corps from the 38th New York Infantry.  The lining show a good deal of wear.  Period newspaper was used as cushion under the black silk lining,

In June of 1861, Owen recruited 60 volunteers for the 2nd New York Fire Zouaves and went with that regiment to the war. In November of 1861 he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the 38th New York Infantry. He was soon detached for signal duty by Brig. Gen. John Sedgwick in Dec. of 1861, and reported for duty to Major Albert J. Myer, signal officer of the Army Signal Camp of Instruction, Washington, and in Feb. reported to Gen. Hooker -Army of the Potomac. “Lt. Owen acted as Signal Officer during the entire Peninsular campaign, and was frequently mentioned by his commanding officer for efficiency, zeal, and gallantry.”  October of 1862, he was awarded a set of battle flags inscribed Yorktown and West Point for having gallantly carried  and used his signal flags in those battles. “for services at the battle of Antietam and on the pursuit to Sheperdstown, Va. 2nd Lt. Owen occupied the front near Kutlett’s House, and bravely maintained it for some hours und an artillery fire.” Promoted to captain in Dec. of 1862 (38th NYV).  Much more on him, and I have photographed sections of his Biographical sketch in with the photos.

In March of 1863, Owen was commissioned captain in the U.S. Volunteer Commissary of Subsistence. Owen received brevet commissions of major and lt.colonel of volunteers, and discharged on surgeon’s certificate of disability in Nov. of 1864. He would later receive from Gen. O.O. Howard an appointment in the Freedman’s Bureau.

With this cap is Owen’s MOLLUS medal #17339. The 2nd Corps Badge is one Owen used on this Civil War cap which was coming loose and removed. His original corps badge is on the slouch hat listed elsewhere.

A nice historic cap, with his MOLLUS Medal, and Photograph in his G.A.R. uniform in frame. Also comes with a stack of photocopied material on his career, etc.

See the other listings for his two G.A.R. hats being sold separately,