Original Item: Private Albert Hollenbeck from Cortland county New York served in the Union Army 76th Regiment, New York Infantry Company G during the U.S. Civil War. After the war he became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post number 98 of Cortland New, York.

This incredible totally genuine Union Chasseur Pattern Kepi was issued to Hollenbeck during his time fighting in the U.S. Civil War and it was altered after the war when he joined the Grand Army of the Republic. The alterations include the GAR buttons, the 98 post number badge with laurels, and the decorative gold chain strap, otherwise the forage cap is as used by Hollenbeck when we fought during the war.

Union Chasseur Pattern Kepi features fabric of dark blue wool broadcloth. The crown stands 3" high at the front, 5.5 at the rear seam and the top is 4 3/8 in diameter, stiffened with a pasteboard beneath the lining. The body of the cap meets a band of another material seamed only at the back and stiffened with leather. The cap's interior is lined with dark brown glazed cotton. The leather sweatband is 1?" wide.

The flat visor is original to the hat, and composed of black patent leather. It is edged with oilcloth that is stitched in place. There are two brass GAR buttons. On the front of the cap is a brass GAR laurel wreath hat pin with separate 98th post pin. On top of the cap is a red wool circle with gold braid border.

This is a good example of identified Civil War headgear later used for participation in the Grand Army of the Republic.

The 76th Regiment, New York Infantry was organized at Saratoga, N. Y., and mustered in November 23, 1861. The regiment mustered out June 27, 1865.

The following is taken from The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in The Loyal States, 1861-65 – records of the regiments in the Union army – cyclopedia of battles – memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub.Co., 1908. volume II.

Seventy-sixth Infantry. – Cols., Nelson W. Green, W.P. Wain-wright, Charles E. Livingston; Lieut.-Cols., John D. Shaul, Charles E. Livingston, Andrew J. Grover, John E. Cook, Charles A. Wat-kins; Majs., Charles E Livingston, Andrew J. Grover, John E. Cook, John W. Young. The 76th, the Cortland Regiment, recruited principally in Cortland and Otsego counties, was mustered into the U.S. Service at Albany, Jan.16, 1862, for three years. It left the state the next day for Washington, was assigned to the 3d brigade of Casey's division and served in the vicinity of Washington during the first winter. It suffered its first severe loss at Manassas in Aug., 1862, when it served with the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 3d corps, losing in the several engagements of Gen. Pope's campaign, 147 in killed, wounded and missing. It was active at South mountain and Antietam, its brigade and division having been assigned to the 1st corps, with which it accompanied the cavalry advance through Philomont, Union and Upperville, Va. It participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, with into winter quarters near Fal-mouth and during the Chancellorsville movement, lost 3 men while guarding bridges. At Gettysburg the regiment took a prominent part and suffered the loss of 234 in killed, wounded and missing. Previous to this battle the ranks had been reinforced by the addition of the veterans and recruits of the 24th and 30th N.Y. Infan-try, but after Gettysburg they were again sadly thinned. The regiment participated in the Mine Run fiasco, and at Brandy Station in Jan., 1864, was transferred to the 1st brigade of the same division, returning to its old brigade in March, and was later assigned to the 2nd brigade, 4th division, 5th corps, and broke camp in April for the Wilderness campaign, in which it suffered its greatest loss during the first two days – 282 killed, wounded or missing. It continued to see hard service at Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Toto-potomoy, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, where it took part in the siege operations until the end of its term of service. It was mustered out by companies, July I, Oct. II and 20, Nov. 8 and 18, Dec. 1, 1864, and Jan. 1, 1865, the veterans and recruits being transferred to the 147th N.Y. Infantry. The regiment lost during its term of service 175 by death from wounds and 166 by death from accident, imprisonment or disease, of whom 56 died in imprisonment. It ranks among the three hundred fighting regiments.