Frederick Wooster Owen G.A.R. Forage Cap – 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. A forage cap with the 2nd Corps wool felt badge appears to be the same one in the original photo of Owen, with a different chinstrap. Post numbers are missing, the interior is missing lining and has a partial sweatband. Light mothing overall, but small and does not detract from the overall appearance.

This officer mustered as a 2nd Lieutenant of the 38th NY Vols on November, 1861 and assigned to Co. “I” and was discharged for promotion on Feb. 27, 1863.  Owen was promoted to Captain on the previous date and was a US Volunteer officer in the Commissary Dept. until he resigned in Nov of 1864. For most of the time he was with the 38th New York, he was detached to the Signal Corps on the Lower Potomac in Feb. 1862. He acted in that capacity during the siege of Yorktown, Va.  On the Gunboat  “Sebago” in the engagement at West Point, Va., and at Fort Powhattan on the James River. He was in hospital at Fortress Monroe for six weeks with Chickahominy Typhoid.  He was again a signal officer at the battle of Antietam and Fredericksburg, Va. and took part actively as captain and C.S. of Vols in Campaigns of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Po River, and Petersburg where his military service terminated in division hospital at City Point.  Soon after the close of the war he was recommended by Genl. O.O. Howard with a brevet rank to major of US Vols, for gallant and meritorious service during the war.
Photos of Owen come with his original  Civil War forage cap.