Kepi of William Hill Harwood Jr. 3rd VA Cavalry Co C

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Jul 28, 2015
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William Harwood Jr. enlisted into Company C 3rd VA Cavalry on May 18th 1861 at Charles County Court House. He was a 26 y/o constable from the county and was enlisted as the 3rd corporal. He had a horse shot out from under him at Lee's Store VA 7/13/61, near Newport News and another in the Valley at Mt. Jackson 11/22/64. He was one of 7 brothers who fought for the Confederacy and was one of the last officers of the ANV killed, at Farmville, VA by artillery fire the day before the surrender at Appomattox. Family lore says he was wearing the boots of General James Harrison Wilson, when he died. Wilson's camp was surprised by Hampton & Fitz Lee near Reams Station and had to leave their baggage wagons and artillery behind.

He was promoted to 2nd Lt. on 5/13/63 and 1st Lt. 4/30/64, in fact was in command of the company at the end of his life.

Upon his death, his effects were collected by brothers also serving in the "Charles City Troop" and were subsequently carried home. William was buried beneath a tree where he fell and his body was retrieved a year later and re-interred in the family grave yard where his brothers Joe and Evie had preceded him. The majority of the 3rd did not surrender and disbanded in Lynchburg, found their way home as they could, some even making their way down to join Joe Johnston's men in North Carolina, in time for that surrender.

His kepi, is direct from the family estate and looks to be similar to those made in Charleston, SC. early in the war and sent to sutlers and commercial agents, in the field. The kepi is a custom tailor grade specimen, has a single piece leather embossed brim, has a simple leather chinstrap held in place by two script I infantry buttons. The blue is of a fine broadcloth wool and the gray banding and disk are of jeans cloth. There is significant wear as might be expected in addition to insect damage.

The hat was accompanied by numerous direct family documents, including an overall family genealogy.
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Nice artifact. Glad it's in the hands of someone who knows how to preserve it. Great story too.
 
View attachment 134246 William Harwood Jr. enlisted into Company C 3rd VA Cavalry on May 18th 1861 at Charles County Court House. He was a 26 y/o constable from the county and was enlisted as the 3rd corporal. He had a horse shot out from under him at Lee's Store VA 7/13/61, near Newport News and another in the Valley at Mt. Jackson 11/22/64. He was one of 7 brothers who fought for the Confederacy and was one of the last officers of the ANV killed, at Farmville, VA by artillery fire the day before the surrender at Appomattox. Family lore says he was wearing the boots of General James Harrison Wilson, when he died. Wilson's camp was surprised by Hampton & Fitz Lee near Reams Station and had to leave their baggage wagons and artillery behind.

He was promoted to 2nd Lt. on 5/13/63 and 1st Lt. 4/30/64, in fact was in command of the company at the end of his life.

Upon his death, his effects were collected by brothers also serving in the "Charles City Troop" and were subsequently carried home. William was buried beneath a tree where he fell and his body was retrieved a year later and re-interred in the family grave yard where his brothers Joe and Evie had preceded him. The majority of the 3rd did not surrender and disbanded in Lynchburg, found their way home as they could, some even making their way down to join Joe Johnston's men in North Carolina, in time for that surrender.

His kepi, is direct from the family estate and looks to be similar to those made in Charleston, SC. early in the war and sent to sutlers and commercial agents, in the field. The kepi is a custom tailor grade specimen, has a single piece leather embossed brim, has a simple leather chinstrap held in place by two script I infantry buttons. The blue is of a fine broadcloth wool and the gray banding and disk are of jeans cloth. There is significant wear as might be expected in addition to insect damage.

The hat was accompanied by numerous direct family documents, including an overall family genealogy.
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What a beautiful piece of history! So glad it- and the family cocuments have survived together! Thanks for sharing!
 
VERY VERY Nice addition to your collection.
 
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