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

Visor to crown 2 13/16 in. dark blue-black wool felt kepi with braided red piped trim, bonded leather visor, chinstrap with 14mm brass general service eagle buttons, brown leather sweatband, brown polished cotton lining, oxblood leather interior crown stiffener (light mothing with minor soiling, expected wear to visor, some separations to lining). Owner's name written in white paint to interior crown stiffener: "Jos. Greeley," identified to Joseph M. Greeley, Co. D, 95th Pennsylvania Infantry. 

Joseph Greeley (1824-1888) of Philadelphia enlisted as a private and was mustered into Co. D of the 95th Pennsylvania Infantry on 18 September 1861. He was discharged for severe rheumatism on 21 December 1862 at White Oak, VA. The 95th Pennsylvania was recruited in Philadelphia in autumn 1861 under Colonel John Gosline and given special uniforms supplied through the US Quartermaster Department on a contract from Rockhill and Wilson of Philadelphia, earning them the name "Gosline's Zouaves."  The cap is the pattern specifically identifiable to Gosline's Zouaves. The unit saw heavy action during the Peninsular Campaign at West Point, Gaines Mill, and Antietam. 

A home belonging to secessionists Albert and Mary Wilcoxon in Fairfax, VA was captured by Federal forces and between March 1862 and June 1863 Union soldiers would sign their names upon the walls. Included among the hundreds who left their mark is Greeley, along with four others identified to the 95th Pennsylvania, who visited Fairfax when McClellan moved his troops toward Richmond after the Confederate retreat from Manassas. (Identified Union Soldier Signatures, Blenheim Attic and House Walls, Historic Blenheim and the Civil War Interpretive Center). 

[With:] Photocopies of Greeley's pension paperwork included with lot.