A Civil War 69th New York Volunteer Irish Officer (Captain) Kepi brought to market with Centurion realized $14,700. Constructed of dark blue fine quality wool trimmed with 3 rows black silk trim & 3 rows of black silk quatrefoil on top of the crown. Heavy bullion embroidered front insignia with "69" metal pin.
Thick leather visor without brim. Eagle / Shield Infantry side buttons. Direct heavy silver bullion embroidery of a Irish Brigade "Harp" insignia on the left side, denoting a pre Civil War Irish-American militia units and the Irish Republican Brotherhood (Fenians) established in New York in 1858. Manufacture mark "Bent & Bush" stamped inside.
Having sold as lot 69531 of the October 2021 Wartime Military Memorabilia Auction.
The regiment mustered in under Colonel Robert Nugent, Lieutenant Colonel James Kelly, and Major James Cavanagh as one of the regiments of the Irish Brigade. Originally recruited under special authority from the War Department, was turned over to the state September 2, 1861, and organized in New York city as one of the regiments of the Irish, or Meagher's, Brigade, November 2, 1861. The regiment was mustered out of service on June 30th, 1865 under Colonel Robert Nugent, Lt. Colonel James Smith, and Major Richard Moronoey.
The 69th fought in many major battles and experienced significant action during the Civil War, beginning with the Siege of Yorktown in April 1862 on through the surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. The 69th lost the greatest number of men killed or wounded of any of the New York regiments. It ranks 6th in total loss among all the regiments in the Union army and 7th in percentage of loss to total enrollment. The total number enrolled was 1,513, of whom 261 died from wounds and 151 from other causes, 63 dying in prisons.
Read more about the 69th New York Volunteers
Provenance | Collection of Brigadier General Dr. Edward R. Burka (1930-2021): BG Burka was an avid collector of and expert on U.S. medical military insignia, uniforms, and instruments. Over his lifetime he assembled a comprehensive militaria collection. His collection included many extremely fine high-grade examples of 19th and 20th C. militaria. Items are consigned by the estate.
Selling US Civil War Wartime Military Memorabilia? Contact Centurion for a complimentary evaluation. Centurion is an industry leader in the valuation, appraisal, marketing, and sale of US Civil War militaria. We'll make certain you achieve excellent value in the sale of your US Civil War Collection or Civil War Memorabilia. Whether selling a collection or a single piece of Civil War memorabilia, contact Centurion to help in selling US Civil War uniforms, firearms, headgear, edged weapons, flags, buttons, gear, documents, relics, and images.
Civil War 69th New York Volunteer Irish Officer Captain Kepi | Photo Gallery
