Help ID-ing Uniform at Gettysburg dedication

[Chris Callahan]

All:

I recently found a photograph that shows a group in front of the "Ricketts Battery" and "Hancock" monument at East Cemetery Hill. I date the image to be from 1896 or later (Hancock's monument was dedicated in that year). The men in uniform appear too young to be CW veterans. I note that 2 of the men standing have shoulder epaulets (Officers?), and the fellows not standing have odd uniforms. With zoom function, I can make out 2 distinct letters on lapels ("R" & "H"). The Bell Crown Caps for those in the forefront have the numeral "1", but I can not make out the letters worn by the men standing. As Ricketts was from Pennsylvania, I believe the unit could be a Reserve Militia but suspect that a GAR unit is NOT depicted.

Further, R Bruce Ricketts served as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Commission (circa 1893-1912) and was present for the dedication of most of the monuments. Can anyone help establish if the gentleman standing with his wife is Col Robert Bruce Ricketts? He was born in 1839 (died 1918) and would have been 57 in 1896. The gent is wearing a hat more reflective of a veterans head gear, and he was in the GAR. The alternate image shows him in 1893.



Thanks for any help,

Chris Callahan

 

[Old Hickory]

Just a guess here, but they look like a band of musicians to me.

 

[Chris Callahan]

Thanks, Old Hickory. That was my first guess too. I am intrigued by the emblem on the hat and the shoulder epaulets (which indicates some sort of rank structure). The long haired boy in the center (wearing a derby) seems out of military regulations with his hair style. Maybe a Reserve unit... military band?

 

[Old Hickory]

Quite possibly, or just a town marching band. They were quite popular in that era. Maybe locate a town local to Gettysburg or related to the event with those initials and the mystery may be close to being solved.