Gold laced kepi?

[Kathy the history sleuth]

John, is absolutely correct, the number of braids determined rank; the design on top is called a quatrefoil and has many different meanings, some pertaining to luck, others to the four gospels, the design goes back in history all the way to the Celts. I imagine that the US and CS simply copied what the French were doing, since as James N. alluded to earlier, they were one of the predominate military powers in the middle 1800s.

Thanks, it looked Celtic to me too.

 

[Cavalier]

Regarding the photo above in post #20, I hope I can find a reproduction that looks that good, minus holes of course.

John

 

[captaindrew]

Regarding the photo above in post #20, I hope I can find a reproduction that looks that good, minus holes of course.

John

Greg Starbuck at kepi nation on Facebook is the best in the business. I noticed a post the other day saying he's working on a big project right now and not taking orders at the moment but when he does it's worth the wait. Go to his page and check out his work. Dirty Billy in Gettysburg is also very good.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Does anyone think there is any historical presedent for the gold braid on Kearney's kepi?

Oh yeah. This was quite common.

As has been said.

As @captaindrew reiterated, officers on both sides were required to purchase their own uniforms.

So .... ( on both sides) ... there were many 19 year old Junior officers that came from very wealthy families.

These lil' boys would sometimes have more gold braid on their uniforms than the field/staff officers of their regiments/battalions.

 

[111thNYSV]

Clinton MacDougal. Colonel of the 111th NY infantry and later brig general.

 

[Cavalier]

@captaindrew Thanks for the advice. I will check into those guys for my kepi purchase.

John

 

[Cavalier]

@111thNYSV ****, I sure should have been aware of this photo! This guy was the Colonel of my only civil war ancestor's regiment. And they were both wounded on July 2nd. in the same action I believe. (I imagine your pretty familiar with them). I have seen his photo before but not wearing that kepi, at least that I can remember. Thank you.

John

 

[111thNYSV]

No problem John. I will be in Gettysburg tomorrow and you can bet I'll be swinging by the 111th monunent and visiting the 111th guys buried in the national cemetery.

 

[Cavalier]

@7th Mississippi Infantry I'm glad to see the Yanks could be just as flashy as the rebs. "After all, a chap ought to look good in front of the men". I know a British guy said that but it seems appropriate here.

John

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

@7th Mississippi Infantry I'm glad to see the Yanks could be just as flashy as the rebs. "After all, a chap ought to look good in front of the men". I know a British guy said that but it seems appropriate here.

John

Yes indeed.

Young George Armstrong Custer is the first "flashy" Yank that comes to mind.