[MILITIA]. Ordnance Shako, possibly 9th New York Militia, identified to Welles. Manufactured by James S. Smith, New York.

Visor to crown 5 7/8 in. dark blue-black wool felt and patent leather shako with bonded leather visor and chinstrap with 17mm regimental brass buttons featuring the number "9" on a lined field, leather sweatband with grommets (expected wear to visor and chinstrap, no lacing present to interior grommets); overall length 7 3/4 in., visible 4 5/8 in. red worsted wool plume with gilt flame-motif plume base and brass holder (minor staining to wool); approx. 1 3/8 x 1 3/8 in. die-struck brass pompon ornament featuring crossed cannons superimposed on flaming bomb device; 3 3/4 x 3 1/8 in. gilt die-struck cap plate. Illustrated printed label to crown interior: "James S. Smith / 15 Dutch St. N.Y." Made out in manuscript: "Welles / Sergt. A Gd. 9th."

The cap plate features a variant New York State Seal surrounded by a laurel wreath and a riband reading "Ratione Aut Vi." [By Reason or By Force]. The pompon ornament features artillery crossed cannons superimposed on ordnance insignia of a bomb with flame. A very similar cap is in the collection of the National Museum of American History (AF.61063M) identified to the 1st Regiment of Artillery, Pennsylvania Militia. The same cap is illustrated on p. 302 of Campbell and O'Donnell where they note the "rare regimental insignia. In the absence of a state uniform, each independent unit purchased and retained its own distinctive uniform." Continuing in a discussion of the pompon ornament: "There were no state regulations regarding insignia. This device was part of a standardized uniform adopted by a single regiment in the late 1850s."

The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann