Original U.S. Civil War Grand Army of the Republic Veteran’s Uniform Grouping Jacket, Vest & Kepi with 1909 Gettysburg Memorial Day Program in Pocket - H Derby
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Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Grouping. The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army (United States Army), Union Navy (U.S. Navy), Marines and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. It was founded in 1866 in Springfield, Illinois, and grew to include hundreds of "posts" (local community units) across the nation (predominantly in the North, but also a few in the South and West). It was dissolved in 1956 at the death of its last member, Albert Woolson (1850–1956) of Duluth, Minnesota.
This is a tremendous uniform grouping belonging to an H. Derby who served in the Civil War, very likely for the State of Pennsylvania. In the pocket of the jacket is a program that we have identified as being for the 1909 Gettysburg Memorial Day Ceremony. There is a Henry Derby who served with the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and a Captain Henry W. Derby with the 77th PA Infantry, but considering the latter died in the 19th Century, we are leaning more towards Henry Derby of the 5th PA Cavalry.
The jacket has four large GAR buttons to the front, with a heavily sweat-stained interior lining. There is a small tag reading H. DERBY which is how we identified the jacket. The jacket is in good shape overall and shows heavy period usage by the Civil War veteran.
The included vest is an Indian War era soldier’s vest with five small GAR buttons to the front with a tightening belt on the back. It also shows use with some staining on the interior.
The Kepi is an 1872 Model with a maker’s mark on the interior for B.M. Whitlock at 99 Fourth Avenue, New York. The front of the kepi has a lovely bullion eagle under the letters C.S.C.(?), due to the script style we aren’t able to identify the first and last letters. The lovely bullion chinstrap is held in place by two small Civil War Federal buttons. There are bits of period newspaper stuck to the underside of the brim. The original sweatband is still present, but the stitching is entirely gone. The underside of the sweatband is inscribed with the name E. H. HOWES, a lovely research opportunity. The cap has some moth damage as shown, but nothing terribly serious.
This is a tremendous uniform grouping to a Civil War Veteran who was very involved with the organization later in life. Comes ready for further research and display!
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 8.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13.5"
Chest width: 16.5”
Waist: 16.5"
Front length: 33.5"
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