Fourage cap.

[major bill]

I am working as docent today at the Michigan History Museum. It is a slow day so I took a look at the new temporary exhibit room that they just opened.

One of the temp exhibits is how artifacts deteriorate. This is an old fourage cap from our deep storage area that may hVe not ever been displayed before. It is being used to show how wool cloth can suatain moth damage.

There is some moth damage. But the cap is still in good condition. My question is where is the cap from? Michigan did not have a 126th Infantry Regiment.

 

[Kurt G]

The 126th traces its history back to the 3rd Michigan and before . I assumed that designation took place after this type of headgear would have been worn.

 

[major bill]

 

[major bill]

I am assuming thos will go back into storage and may not be displayed again for decades. So it is a great opportunity to see it.

 

[Billw12280]

The moth damage appears to be very minimal, it looks to be in very nice condition and I would love to have something similar in my collection. I can't help with what unit it may have belonged to though. As always @major bill thank you for sharing!

 

[major bill]

The moth damage appears to be very minimal, it looks to be in very nice condition and I would love to have something similar in my collection. I can't help with what unit it may have belonged to though. As always @major bill thank you for sharing!

The rear seam has come apart for about a half inch. Still with the leather in good shape and not coming lose, I would say this is a nice cap. To bad the public will probably not see it for decades, but great that it will properly stored and cared for.

 

[Billw12280]

I guess it's a good thing they store it away, that is probably the best way to ensure future generations can enjoy seeing these items. The problem is going to be whether they want to, my kids have no interest and when I ask what they know about history they act like the schools don't teach them anything. This could be the case and if it is, that is a very sad thing for our future.

'Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.'

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice one. I believe that the only state that had a 126th was New York.

 

[Package4]

The 126th traces its history back to the 3rd Michigan and before . I assumed that designation took place after this type of headgear would have been worn.

The 126 MI is the current designation that goes back over 155 years, it was not designated the 126 until WWI, so the headgear designation has nothing to do with Michigan. The brass on the cap is on the disk which would be correct for an 1862 on, early war designation would have the company letter on the front as per the then regulation. There were four or five regiments during the war with the 126 designation: IL, NY, PA, IN and OH. I suspect one of the neighboring states might be the originator of the cap.

The brass letters seem to be of the early war pattern (1")

 

[Seduzal]

Thanks for sharing this awesome story. At least you have a photo of them before they go back in storage!