Virginia Cavalry Slouch Hat with Insignia!
By Shannon Pritchard · Originally published July 2017 · p. 5
This remarkable slouch hat is made of a very thin wool felt, composed of black, blue and buff fibers, forming an overall “butternut” color. The hat is of the beehive “begum” style, with a tall crown 5” high and a brim approximately 3 ¼” wide (the exact point of demarcation between crown and brim is open to some interpretation). On the edge of the brim is a line of stitch marks indicating that there was at one time some sort of edging, or at least a stitched edge. The sweatband is missing; only a ghost remains to estimate its width. Around the crown is a cord made of copper bands wrapped around a cotton cord. These very thin bands of copper give a stiffness that feels like horsehair. The cord is knotted at the back and the ends are made into tassels.
Sewn to the front is a brass cross saber cavalry insignia, 2 3/8” wide at the top, 1 ¾” high and 3 ¾” wide at the bottom. The length of the blades extends past the line of the hilts. I find it very interesting that the sabers are sewn on the hat upside down. According to William Turner, (author of Even More Confederate Faces) who owned this hat for some years, the insignia was identified by William McGuinn as having been made by either S.A. Myers or E.M. Lewis of Richmond. This is a classic example of a Confederate made hat. The thin felt, the mixture of fibers, and the overall shape are consistent with Confederate practice, and represent a classic Confederate design. Looking through photographs in the Virginia Regimental Series it is apparent that they were very popular with the Virginia cavalrymen. The original E.M. Lewis or S.A. Myers cross sabers are a very important part of the hat. It is extremely rare to find a Confederate slouch hat with its original, much less, Confederate made insignia. The copper wrapped band is an interesting and original part as well. The hat was purchased by John Dugan; a Richmond area dealer now deceased, from a family living in Chesterfield County, Va., many years ago. It is believed that the original owner was named Adams and that he was in the 3rd Va. Cav. Unfortunately there are ten Adams’ on the Third Virginia’s roster. A couple could be ruled out as possibilities, but it is impossible to be sure which man wore the hat. The bona fide Confederate slouch hat is the most desirable and hardest to find of all Confederate headgear. To find one with such good provenance and with original Confederate insignia is virtually unheard of. Shannon Pritchard has authored numerous articles relating to the authentication, care and conservation of Confederate antiques, including several cover articles and is the author of the definitive work on Confederate collectibles, the widely acclaimed Collecting the Confederacy, Artifacts and Antiques from the War Between the States, and Confederate Faces in Color.
Inside view of hat showing the wear.
