24.  Civil War Union General John Ward’s Kepi, Worn During the Battle of Gettysburg
 
General John Henry Hobart Ward (1823-1903) enlisted in the army at age eighteen. He worked his way up the ranks from Private to Sergeant Major from 1842-1847, and took part in the siege of Fort Brown. He was wounded at Monterry, and met his future wife at the capture of Vera Cruz. Commissioned colonel with the 38th New York Volunteers after the outbreak of the Civil War and became a Brigadier General on October 4, 1862. Campaigned at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, wounded at Gettysburg. Relieved of command in 1864 for “misbehavior and intoxication in the presences of the enemy during the Battle of the Wilderness,” but honorably mustered out in July 1864.
 
A superb and remarkably rare example of a Union Army General’s kepi, attributed to General John Henry Hobart Ward worn during the Battle of Gettysburg.
 
French style kepi made of dark blue wool, tabby weave, about 80 x 96 threads per inch. Light pink crown lining with identical separate gather, “Tiffany & Co, 550 & 552 Broadway, New York” maker’s tag stitched to inside crown. Black patent leather visor with stitched trim, crosshatched green visor underside. Dark brown leatherette sweatband, detached from cap body near front and right side only.
 
Six strands of 3/16” gold braid around top band, up each side, front and back. Braid borders exterior crown with braided quatrefoil to center crown. 3/8” gold braid chinstrap, gilt 9/16” side buttons, appear to be Scovill.
 
Condition Report: One of the finest known examples of a Union Army General’s kepi
 
Size: 10 x 6.4 x 3.3 in. (25.4 x 16.3 x 8.4 cm.)
 
Provenance: Les Jensen, Gary Hendershott Museum Consultants

Estimate: $35,000 – 50,000

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