bobinwmass
Sergeant
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2019
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
I just picked up this jacket that would have been worn by a cadet at the Highland Military Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts. Thirteen year old John F. Wilcox, a cadet attending the academy in 1864, wears the same style jacket in the CDV I already have in my collection. Founded in 1856, the Academy added military instruction to its curriculum in 1858. By 1864, some 298 boys had attended the Academy, at least 50 of whom served in the Civil War, many losing their lives in the conflict. Lt J. W. Grout of the 15th Massachusetts Infantry was killed at Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861. Only 18, due to his military instruction at the Academy, Grout was recruited to help train new enlistees when the regiment was formed. The highest rank attained by any cadet was Brevet Brig. General, issued to William X. Green Jr, who lost his life as Lt. Colonel of the 173rd New York Infantry. Younger cadets remaining at the school during the war years participated in patriotic parades, military funerals, and in ceremonies sending regiments off to war and welcoming them back.
Despite a lot of moth holes, the jacket presents pretty well. It is missing one of the larger coat buttons. What is the general consensus out there about finding an original button to put on the jacket? The ones with the correct earlier Scovill backmark to match the others on the jacket can occasionally by found for about $25 to $30. Or should I leave as is since though an original button, it would not be original to this particular jacket.
Despite a lot of moth holes, the jacket presents pretty well. It is missing one of the larger coat buttons. What is the general consensus out there about finding an original button to put on the jacket? The ones with the correct earlier Scovill backmark to match the others on the jacket can occasionally by found for about $25 to $30. Or should I leave as is since though an original button, it would not be original to this particular jacket.