McDowell Pattern 45th Massachusetts Officer’s Forage Cap – SOLD

McDowell Pattern 45th Massachusetts Officer’s Forage Cap. This cap was sold recently at auction from a long time Massachusetts collector how amassed a fabulous amount of historical items, much of came directly from homes in this area.

The cap is not identified, a forage cap from a 45th Mass Infantry officer.  The cap is made by Bent & Bush, Boston, stamped into the crown.  Overall the cap shows some moth tracking, more toward the rear and left side, and along the base of the cap, which I had restored. As you can see, the cap shows off very nicely.

Interestingly, the side buttons are general service eagles, not infantry”I” commonly used for officers.  Either this officer paid no mind to this matter when buying, or mostly likely may have been promoted in the field, simply adding the bullion horn insignia.

A great look forage cap.

The 45th Mass organized at Camp Meigs, Readville, September 26-October 28, 1862. Moved to Morehead City, N. C., on Steamer “Mississippi” November 5-14. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of North Carolina, to May, 1863. Lee’s Brigade, Defences of Newberne, N. C., to June, 1863.  Saw a good amount of action at the battle of Kingston, and around the New Bern area, seeing some heavy suffering due to fever.  Returned to Boston in the summer of 1863, and called to put down draft rioting.  Their colonel was Charles R. Codman, the father of a WWI pilot, and General George Patton’s Aide in WWII.