Hat Identification

[Cathy921]

Here is a photo of an ancestor of mine who is wearing a uniform from the Civil War Era. I'm not sure if it is a soldier uniform, a police officer, or a railroad clerk. The man is wearing a star, and his hat has a star. How do I start researching the meaning of the hat? Thank you for your help.[/ATTACH]

 

[Joey12thga]

Looks like a Corps badge. 12thcorps/ 20th Corps

What unit was he in?

 

[TerryB]

Can you scan the logo on the back, if there is one? The more elaborate the logo, the later in time. And if there's a revenue stamp, that would date it to 1864-66.

 

[Cathy921]

Thank you for a quick reply. I did a search on the information to understand the meaning behind 12th or 20th corp.

This picture was sent electronically to me from a distance cousin (we share a great / great great grandfather). We know John Henry Washington Gladney was a part of the 29th PA Regiment of Philadelphia, PA. We have a photo of him, but the previously attached photo does not match him. He may be J H W Gladney's brother. I would imagine he is from Philadelphia also. I am attaching JHW Gladney's picture. Do you think he is in uniform? This is from a tin type.

 

[Michael O'Neil]

Hi folks,

Can't help much with regiment details, etc but one method I've had luck with in the past is checking directories, census, etc for the photographers. You can sometimes narrow down or rule out a particular period - in this case check to see if there was a S M Farland during the Civil War period - you might find they didn't exist until 1880 for example.

Hope this gives you a lead.

 

[Oceanpond88]

The 29th PA was actually part of both the 12th and 20th corps during the war.

 

[Fifer]

Good account of the 29th PVI

http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/infantry/29th/29thorg.html


The 12th Corps and the 11th Corps were combined after Gettysburg and moved by rail west to the Army of the Cumberland in the effort to raise the seige of Chattanooga following the Chickamagua defeat. They became the 20th Corps and were with Sherman to the end of the war.