Civil War coatee, perhaps for Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment 1, Company K, known as the Jackson Rifles. Appears to be a dress/parade uniform.
Navy blue & white wool coatee with standing collar. 3 columns of buttons on the front and on two 15-inch tails. Metallic-thread embellishments on sleeves and tails. Front of garment tapers to a slight point at the center front, ending at the waist. Back with tails is longer. This is a finely constructed and tailored garment made of quality materials.
Buttons: Bronze-colored metal buttons with "Jackson Rifles" circling a center "JR" monogram. On reverse of button is a metal loop/shank and "Pettibone Mfg. Co., Cincinnati." 26 buttons on front of garment (one is missing) in three columns of 9; and 2 at waist level on back of garment. All have a diameter .875 inch). Three .25-inch buttons along side seams on each sleeve.
Back of garment: White wool along outer & inner edges of both 15-inch long tails. A hook & eye sewn where tails meet in center to align and hold tails together. Both decorated with branches with 13 star-like leaves sewn in metallic threads.
Sleeves: Both underarm and sides seams. (A torn seam opening reveals padding beneath sewn button shanks to anchor them.) Three .25-inch buttons sewn 2, 3.5 & 5 inches from cuff along underarm seam. Sleeves lined with tan silk-like fabric with woven plant designs.
Inside body of coatee: "31" in black inked onto batting at back neck. Remaining threads beneath indicate that a sewn-in tag was removed. A fabric loop for hanging the garment is sewn onto the collar. Garment is lined with grid-stitched batting. 6-inch slash pockets on left front and one on each tail.
Medal consisting of three parts: At top is a pin of cast bronze with a spread eagle clutching a saber against two cannons & cannon balls; middle section is a suspended American flag silk ribbon which in turn suspends a cast bronze star replete with military symbols on front and back. On front side within a centered circlular band are the words: "GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC." and "1861 - VETERAN - 1866." Inside circle is a scene of a soldier's return from war. Reverse side has numerous symbols portrayed within a compartmented, scallop-edged circle.
Medal consisting of three parts: At top is a pin of cast bronze with a spread eagle clutching a saber against two cannons & cannon balls; middle section is a suspended American flag silk ribbon which in turn suspends a cast bronze star replete with military symbols on front and back. On front side within a centered circlular band are the words: "GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC." and "1861 - VETERAN - 1866." Inside circle is a scene of a soldier's return from war. Reverse side has numerous symbols portrayed within a compartmented, scallop-edged circle.
Eagle's proper right wing tip is broken off and bent back. Bronze is very dark with tarnish and soil. Ribbon is extremely faded on both sides with some soil on back.
Rubber shaving box, circular. "U.S.N." "Don't Give Up the Ship" Label on exterior reads, "This is a shaving box from the old frigate congress which the Merrimack sank." In pen on label, "Emmons"
Wooden handled hammer. Label on side reads, "Hammer taken from the Confederate White House by a Union soldier, H.Stephens, Benj. G. Leachey in the 203rd Regiment."
This refers to Benjamin G. Laechey of company A.
Label in Archives claims hammer was originally propery of Alexander Stephens, vice-president of the Confederacy and was found in his office desk in Richmond, VA.
Epaulets (2) and case. Object ID changed to 1956.009.3
Case: Sheet iron construction, bean shaped case with internal support for epaulets, painted black. Central bail handle on hinged lid with hasp type clasp at front.
Epaulets A & B: Gold, brass, silk.
**** Note: Appears to be epaulets described in 1956.009 and belonging to General John Fulton Reynolds. See object file for additional information.