A scarce cap with an extreme forward floating crown, made in Warrenton, Va.
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Description
Just Post Civil War Forage Cap For Bethel Military Academy, Warrenton, Va.
A most interesting style of cap worn by the early cadets at the Bethel Military Academy at Warrenton, Virginia, formed in 1867. The cap is well marked inside on the crown lining, embossed in silver, “R.W. Hilleary & Co. / Warrenton, VA.” This floppy or floating crown is rather different, and is far more extreme than anything usually encountered, although there was some confusion at first as this being a VMI pattern cap. The side buttons, are Virginia State seal buttons, and are original and correct according to the school regulations. The cap retains its full polished brown cotton lining with some loosening from behind the sweatband.
The cap was either made for or by R.W. Hilleary & Co. of Warrenton; a local well to do merchant who was an active member of the community for many years in that city.
The dress and fatigue uniform chosen for the school was based on a modified version of the Virginia Military Institute, consisting of all “Charlottesville gray” with black trim, with these dark blue caps. The caps had the letters applied the lower crown area, over a company letter. This cap bears the original company letter “A,” but the “BMA” have gone missing. The ghost imprint of the letters is easy to make out, so all that need be done, it to fine those letters. The chinstrap had no adjustment buckle, and had a trimmed visor.
Bethel Military Academy operated from 1867 until 1911, and had several prominent alumni. The Virginia State Assembly passed a bill in 1901 incorporating the school. The bill included a requirement that one student chosen from each district of Virginia was granted tuition free admission to the school.
Condition overall is very good, with some scattered small mothing.
