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

Visor to crown 2 7/8 in. red wool felt kepi with dark blue wool band, braided gold bullion piping, tarred leather visor and chinstrap with 14mm brass general service eagle buttons, leather sweatband, and patterned black silk lining (mothing, light soil, expected wear to visor, sweatband and lining); 3/4 in. die-struck brass regimental number "5" (added black thread to secure alignment).

Three-quarter studio portrait of Westlake, a kepi partially visible. New York: Thomas Heney, n.d. Modern ink inscription to verso identifies Westlake. -- Full-length group portrait of three soldiers, Westlake seated at center. Philadelphia: Hagaman, n.d. (Top mount edge trimmed.) -- Full-length portrait of Westlake in frock coat and with infantry kepi with "12" regimental numbers resting on photographer's column. New York: Vaughan, ca 1861-1863. Modern ink inscription to verso identifies Westlake. (Mount trimmed on three sides.) -- Full-length portrait of Westlake and a fellow soldier of the 12th New York wearing frock coats and kepis. Uncredited. -- Three-quarter length portrait of Westlake in civilian clothing. Williamsburgh: L.S. Hicks, n.d. Modern ink inscription to verso identifies Westlake. -- Seated portrait of an unidentified young man wearing a jacket with corporal chevrons. -- Together, 6 albumen cartes de visite on cardstock mounts, approx. 2 1/8 x 3 3/8 in., all photographers' imprints to mount versos, condition generally very good, expected toning, occasional fading.

Provenance: James Thomas Westlake by descent to great-great-grandson, purchased by Don Troiani (Typed letter, Don Troiani to Bruce Hermann, Southbury, CT, 9 August 2019).

James Joseph Westlake enlisted as a private on 18 November 1861 in New York City, mustering in the next day into Co. B of the 12 New York Infantry. He was wounded in action on 30 August 1862 at Second Bull Run, VA. With the 12th New York, Westlake saw extensive battle action, participating in a litany of major engagements including: First and Second Bull Run, the Siege of Yorktown, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House. 

He re-enlisted on 29 February 1864, transferring into the 5th New York Veteran Infantry, Duryea's Zouaves. He saw several promotions with the 5th: corporal (8 October 1864), sergeant (19 November 1864), and finally to first sergeant (1 April 1865). He mustered out with the regiment on 21 August 1865 at Hart's Island in New York Harbor. The 5th New York Vets wore two variations of Zouave uniforms, including red fezzes with yellow tassels, though this type of red kepi was occasionally worn by Zouaves as an alternative to the fez. The regiment initially had garrison duty at Alexandria, VA before transferring to the Army of the Potomac as part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, V Corps and engaged in the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, and Five Forks.