{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-colonel-james-a-dennison-cavalry-officer-s-frock-coat-led-two-invasions-into-abyssinia-for-khedivate-of-egypt-from-1874-1876-served-at-alcatraz","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Colonel James A. Dennison Cavalry Officer’s Frock Coat - Led Two Invasions into Abyssinia for Khedivate of Egypt from 1874-1876 \u0026 Served at Alcatraz","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the outstanding Civil War era Cavalry Officer’s Frock Coat worn by James Alfred Dennison, a veteran of the Civil War who enlisted at 15 years old, serving with the 15th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, later reenlisting in the 8th Missouri Cavalry. He was a cadet at West Point Military Academy from 1866-1870 upon appointment by Congressman Kelso. Afterwards he served as an officer with the 2nd Artillery, then the 8th Cavalry, briefly serving at the garrison on Alcatraz Island from September 30th, 1870 to October 25th, 1871. He spent several years at the Albany Law School and began his law practice at Little Falls, N.Y. in 1873. This would be interrupted, however, by his unrelenting thirst for adventure and desire for active service. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDennison would join about fifty other Union and Confederate veterans who had been recommended to the Egyptian Khedive by William Tecumseh Sherman in order to modernize their military. Dennison was made a Major of Engineers under General C.P. Stone, later being promoted to General Instructor of Engineers with the rank of Colonel. Dennison had an independent force under his control, and led two invasions into Abyssinia for the Khedivate. It is said that he got better service out of the Egyptian soldiers than any commander had succeeded in doing so up to that time.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eHe remained in Egypt until 1877, later becoming Lieutenant Colonel of the 71st New York Regiment, retiring in 1893. Colonel Dennison became one of the best-informed military lawyers in the East. He had been counsel in several important courts-martial. He passed away on July 12th, 1900 at the age of 54. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great Civil War period Cavalry officer’s frock coat, worn by Lieutenant James Alfred Dennison while serving with the 8th Cavalry Regiment, having worn it when he wed his wife Ella Dudley (sister of Brigadier General Edgar Dudley) on September 7th, 1870. This is also the coat he would have worn when stationed at the Garrison on Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz was a very small installation during this period, making any material incredibly scarce. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frock coat is constructed of a fine grade of English, broadcloth wool, in a deep, indigo-dyed blue. The coat bears the correct Federal Eagle “C” officer’s buttons, denoting Cavalry. There are bullion epaulettes with yellow backing, denoting a Lieutenant of Cavalry. The buttonholes are hand-whipped and corded, and the bottom three buttonholes have leather reinforcement stitched onto the interior behind them. There was a note in the pocket reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoat which James A. Dennison\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWore when married to\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElla Dudley - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSept. 7” 1870\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frock coat is in outstanding condition for its age, likely being kept in museum storage for a great deal of time. This is without a doubt the most well-preserved Civil War era frock coat we have ever offered. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collar is lined with velvet on the interior, and the coat’s lining exhibits outstanding stitch quality. The coat shows moderate wear with some minor field repairs from service use, and the interior shows good sweat-staining but nothing too serious. All buttons are retained and there are even coattail pockets. The collar retains the single hook and loop closure, along with the hanging loop. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe coat comes with the original note found in the pocket, and a good bit of provenance. The coat was purchased from Charles W. Moore in November 1960 and remained in the collection of Robert G. Smith for many years thereafter, eventually making it to us here. There is a great deal of printed research obtained from the National Archives and from the West Point Archives, making for an exciting research project. His West Point biography gives several pages of detailed information about his service with the Khedivate of Egypt. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an outstanding uniform with an unbelievable story, and I would like to end this description with a quote from his West Point biography, written by Richard Henry Savage, Class of 1868:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“To those who knew and loved him, his comparatively early death leaves a void not easily filled, and the record of his adventurous career is an honorable and varied one. Personally attached to him, I always respect the soldierly fortitude with which Colonel Dennison refrained from exposing the callous neglect and brutal treatment of the distinguished American officers in Egypt, who ‘plowed where others reaped, later,’ who brought from the field the only honors ever gained under the nondescript Egyptian flag, and who, as a body, received the meed of the neglected soldier, ‘ingratitude and oblivion.’\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBut, while the explorations of Purdy, Chaille Long, Prout, Dye, and others forced a new geography of the Soudan into general use, and made the way smooth for the Soldiers of the Queen, the alumni of West Point should never forget their lonely comrade, on that Abyssinian hill, who held the fort, and brought back his shield with honor. It is not for him who putteth on the armour to boast like him who taketh it off.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDennison’s Obituary reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA picturesque and interesting military career came to an end on Thursday evening, when ex-Lieut. Col. James A. Dennison of the Seventy-first Regiment died of pneumonia at his home, at 80 East One Hundred and Sixteenth Street. Although the later years of his life were devoted to the practice of law, the glories of a military life early attracted him, and when a youth of sixteen he enlisted in the Fifteenth Missouri Volunteers, Reserve Corps, in September, 1861, and served as a private in that body of troops till the January following. In April, 1862, he joined Company E, Eighth Missouri Cavalry, and served with that regiment till April 12, 1866. He left the civil war to enter the Military Academy at West Point, and graduated in 1870, getting a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Second United States Artillery on June 15 of that year. He was transferred to the cavalry as Second Lieutenant in the Eighth United States Cavalry in October, 1871, holding his commission in that command till August of the year following.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt West Point he was a classmate of Major General Francis V. Greene. His adventurous spirit took him to Egypt in 1874, and New Year's Day, 1875, he was commissioned a Major of Engineers in the Egyptian Army, serving with distinction and brilliancy till Jan. 1, 1877. When Frederick Kopper was elected Colonel of the Seventy-first Regiment, in July, 1887, Major Dennison was chosen Lieutenant Colonel in September, 1887. Col. Dennison held the position for a number of years, not retiring till 1893. Col. Dennison was one of the best-informed military lawyers in the East. He had been counsel in several important courts-martial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Seventy-first Regiment returned from Cuba he challenged the right of the State to go behind the honorable discharge received by Lieut. Col. Clinton H. Smith from the United States Army and to investigate his conduct at San Juan. He predicted then a great upheaval in the Guard if his advice was not followed, and his friends declare to-day that all the scandal in the Guard growing out of the Seventy-first court of inquiry would have been avoided by following Col. Dennison's counsel. Arrangements for the funeral await word from his family, at Johnstown, N. Y. Col. Dennison was a descendant of Commodore Perry. He is survived by a wife and three children.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 8.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 22.5”\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 13.5\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 15”\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 12\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: 16.5\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 33.5\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45248810680389,"sku":"ONJR26OL0125","price":2895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/97756CDA-1262-4BE7-B727-314D351C8EF7.jpg?v=1783026327","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-colonel-james-a-dennison-cavalry-officer-s-frock-coat-led-two-invasions-into-abyssinia-for-khedivate-of-egypt-from-1874-1876-served-at-alcatraz","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}