Confederate Sicilian caps

[major bill]

One of the odder types of headwear during the Civil War were the Confederate Sicilian caps. They must have looked fine to the Confederates, but to modern eyes that are not very attractive. A few Northern pre war militia companies wore these as well. I wonder why so many early war Confederates adopted this kind of cap. These caps were also referred to as Corsican caps

 

[JOHN42768]

Kind of like getting up out of bed and leaving their nightcaps on.

 

[major bill]

There must be some symbolism in Sicilian caps that I am missing here.

 

[James N.]

Like the Whipple Caps, truly these were one of the Horrors of the War!

 

[Package4]

View attachment 125753 View attachment 125754

One of the odder types of headwear during the Civil War were the Confederate Sicilian caps. They must have looked fine to the Confederates, but to modern eyes that are not very attractive. A few Northern pre war militia companies wore these as well. I wonder why so many early war Confederates adopted this kind of cap. These caps were also referred to as Corsican caps

These were not worn in the field and would typically be worn only in camp, they were actually described as fatigue cap covers for off duty wear. I have attached a few pics of a similar cover in my collection.

 

[Tennessee_Mountainman]

These were not worn in the field and would typically be worn only in camp, they were actually described as fatigue cap covers for off duty wear. I have attached a few pics of a similar cover in my collection.

So then I guess they serve the same purpose as the Dutch cap the men usually was in camp? Difference being these were more "elaborate."

 

[donna]

I think these caps are neat. Part of my Mom's family were from Sicily. so maybe that why I like them.

Thanks for posting.

 

[LoyaltyOfDogs]

I think these caps are neat. Part of my Mom's family were from Sicily. so maybe that why I like them.

Thanks for posting.

Had a Sicilian great-grandfather who was a Garibaldi Guard in Italy. I wonder if he wore one.

 

[major bill]

I have seen them worn over the kepi, under the kepi, and all alone. They were decorative, but I am uncertain if they had a practical purpose.

 

[Package4]

So then I guess they serve the same purpose as the Dutch cap the men usually was in camp? Difference being these were more "elaborate."

I think there were various uses early in the war, I believe the "Dutch" cap was more of what was considered a smoking cap and there were also sleeping caps that looked like those pictured above, but were made of wool yarn.

 

[Package4]

 

[major bill]

So are we talking about mere decoration or do these have a useful purpose?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

or do these have a useful purpose?

Sleeping perhaps ?

And Mamma in her Kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap . . .

 

[major bill]

Confederate soldiers were not the first soldiers to want to were bright colors to show off and perhaps these caps were an easy way to add a bit of color at low cost. A company could easy make matching Sicilian caps at little cost and thus set the company apart form other companies.

 

[Package4]

So are we talking about mere decoration or do these have a useful purpose?

I believe that in the 19th century it was customary for men to have their heads covered, for the most part, when outdoors. The constant wearing of a kepi with either a pasteboard or leather stiffener and leather sweatband was not always comfortable. Kepis will expand and shrink in circumference as they get wet (through sweat, dew & rain) and dry. Wearing a kepi all day can also give one an ironband headache. I would suggest these covers were a way of wearing a comfortable hat with a touch of esprit de corps, in camp.

 

[major bill]

Many Confederate were photographed wearing them as kepi covers. They must have wanted to show them off or they would not have worn them to the photo session.

 

[Package4]

Many Confederate were photographed wearing them as kepi covers. They must have wanted to show them off or they would not have worn them to the photo session.

Maybe as a way to spruce up a battered piece of headgear, or a monstrosity made at home. They only seem to appear in early war pictures, it could be quite possible that the headgear was not yet of significant quality or the thought that it gave them a European martial flair. Headgear supply may not have caught up and these were easy to make.

I've only seen a dozen or so in pictures and three from the same regiment, 1st MD CS

 

[Frederick14Va]

Many references to they being "cap covers".... and/or "fatigue cap covers". Some historians have speculated they might have been associated with, or symbolic to the old "Liberty Cap"...... or just a brief snazzy fashion trend...

 

[major bill]

Frederic14Va Those last two are great images of this item. Has anyone researched just how close these were to caps actually worn in Sicily?

 

[John Hartwell]

This is just a variation of the Liberty Cap one of the great symbols of the 18th and 19th century liberal revolutions, it was based on the ancient "Phyrigian Cap?" Papa Smurf wears one, too!

It's also on the seal of the U.S.Army:

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