American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Navy blue eight-button single-breasted enlisted man's frock coat with standing collar. Infantry eagle buttons at front all marked "Extra Quality." Both non-functional cuffs missing all buttons. Gold bullion tape corporal chevrons on each sleeve. Skirt approx. 15 in. to rough edge. Sleeves approx. 7 1/4 in. width. Four coat-size buttons on rear vent at waist and tails all marked "Extra Quality." Sleeve, body, and pocket linings in place.  Inside coat with stitched lining and sleeves lined in white cotton. Interior pocket at left breast and pockets at the tails. No manufacturer identification present. Handwritten ink identification on sewn-in cotton tag near collar identifies the coat to "Chas. A. Fisk." Additional handwritten ink identification "C.A. Fisk" present within left sleeve at the shoulder (coat with scattered mothing and wear to black trim along collar, interior lining with some minimal wear and small tears).

Accompanying letter of authenticity from Les Jensen indicates that the "chevrons appear to have been added to the coat after it was made, as the ends do not go into the seams." Jensen's analysis continues: "All the features of this coat indicate a tailor made Civil War date frock coat for an enlisted man. The chevrons, though added after the coat was made, do appear contemporary to its use. It was typical for many Massachusetts troops to wear tailor made, rather than federal issue, frock coats, particularly in the lower numbered regiments." He concludes that while there is no evidence in Fisk's records that he ever held the rank of corporal, "This is a fine example of a ... Union enlisted man's frock coat which belonged to Charles A. Fisk."

Charles A. Fisk (1842-?), a nineteen-year old farmer from Lexington, Massachusetts, enlisted as a private on 6/13/1861 and mustered into Co. K, MA 11th Infantry. (Note that while HDS and regimental muster rolls identify this soldier with the last name spelled "Fiske," other contemporary army and pension documents identify him as "Fisk"). The 11th Massachusetts, or "Boston Volunteers," participated in major engagements including the First Battle of Bull Run, the Second Battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. HDS indicates Fisk was wounded on 7/2/1863 at Gettysburg incurring a "severe wound in left arm," with his Certificate of Disability for Discharge specifically categorizing the injury as a "Gunshot wound in left arm shattering the Bone" and "Total Disability."  He was discharged for wounds on 3/15/1864 and later mustered into Co. B of the 13th Veteran Reserve Corps. Fisk was discharged on 10/29/1864. Following the war records indicate he entered a U.S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Maine in 1869.