Major General Bryan Grimes Slouch Hat

By Shannon Pritchard · Originally published June 2018 · p. 31

North Carolinian Bryan Grimes began his career with the 4th North Carolina Infantry and saw about as much war as any man in the Army of Northern Virginia. Though not a professional soldier, he enlisted early and soon was leading a regiment in action. He developed into an extraordinarily good combat officer. He fought with the Second Corps, fighting beside men like Generals Rodes, Gordon, Ramseur, and Early. Grimes experienced diverse action on varied fronts. He served on the Peninsula in 1862, invaded the North twice, participated in all four battles around Fredericksburg, and fought up and down the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. He always led from the front, frequently carrying the colors and had upwards of ten horses shot from under him. His sword was shot in two, his belt buckle folded in half and his clothes perforated, but he never received a serious wound. He was devout, aggressive, and fearless, much like Stonewall Jackson. In early

The head band is inked with the hat’s accession number. (All photos Old South Antiques)

1865, he was given a division and promoted to major general. He was the last officer of that rank appointed by General Robert E. Lee. Major General Grimes directed the Army of Northern Virginia’s last attack, at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. After clearing the way, he was ordered to withdraw. He refused and continued to refuse until General Lee’s personal order directed him cease. Even then he insisted on joining General Johnston in North Carolina to continue the fight, but was dissuaded by General Gordon’s informing him that it would be dishonorable to do so while under a cease fire. The hat has an impeccable provenance as having belonged to General Grimes; it was donated to the North Carolina Museum of history by Grimes’ son, Secretary of State, John Bryan Grimes just after the turn of the century. It remained in the museum until it was deaccessioned in March 1963 and traded to George Gorman Sr. in what was somewhat of a tragic mistake for the museum. In 2010 it was discovered because the museum had posted its inventory online where the General’s hat was listed as number 19XX.328.122 and shown as deaccessioned in March 1963. Subsequently the museum curator was contacted in March 2010, and though plainly not happy with the trades that had been made with Mr. Gorman, he stated emphatically that the museum had no claim to the hat and that the trades were legal. Subsequently the museum repurchased the hat and it now resides in North Carolina for all time. 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.