Model 1861 forage cap
notes: label: Description
content: Although this dark blue forage cap looks like it might have belonged to a Union officer, it actually belonged to Colonel Robert Harper of the 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles. The forage cap is French type and the color suggests that Harper most likely served as a staff officer before becoming colonel.
label: Description
content: Before the war began, Harper owned a cotton plantation along the Arkansas River. In 1860 he was elected to the Arkansas State Legislation where he voted for the Act of Secession. In June of 1861 he was mustered into service. According to the museum file notes, Harper died in battle at Chickamauga, "his horse was killed, and he ran forward on foot to re-form the advance line which was broken, and while in the very front of his command was struck by a cannon ball and almost instantly killed, September 20, 1863."
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Military and Society: Armed Forces History, Military
label: See more items in
content: Civil War
label: See more items in
content: Military
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Robert B. Harper
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: AF.42579
label: catalog number
content: 42579
label: accession number
content: 163704
objectType: label: Object Name
content: cap
label: Other Terms
content: cap; CSA, Army; Colonel; Officer
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 9 in x 6 1/2 in x 4 in; 22.86 cm x 16.51 cm x 10.16 cm