Civil War Union Hardee Hat Pack (Boxed)

Union Hardee Hat Pack (Sculpted prims) (Modify, Copy, No Transfer)

4 Items Included (more detailed descriptions of each item below):
Hardee Hat (Infantry)
Hardee Hat (Cavalry)
Hardee Hat (Artillery)
Hardee Hat (Blank - no badge)

Preface:
Thank you for your interest in this Old Glory product! A great deal of care and work was put into this historically accurate, highly detailed, and customizable Civil War uniform. You will not find a finer uniform on all of Second Life, it is our guarantee. Everything from the buttons to the seams to the texture of the cloth are based upon historical examples and executed with the highest possible quality given the restraints of Second Life.

We have also strived to allow customization of our uniforms to fit your desires or interests. All components are modifiable so you can add your own personal or historical touch to your new uniform. We would love for you to send us snapshots of your creations to add to our Customer Gallery!

Please note that this is a highly detailed, modifiable outfit and may require some adjustment in order to fit on your avatar properly. Please avail yourself of the pose stand here in our shop. Feel free to IM us if you have questions and be sure to join the Old Glory Sutlery Group for updates!

Detailed Discription:
This pack comes in four versions for you to select from. Each badge denotes the branch of service:
Trumpet: Infantry
Crossed Swords: Cavalry
Crossed Cannons: Artillery

Historical Description:

Jeff Davis (Hardee) Hat
In 1855 Secretary of War Jefferson Davis was instrumental in the creation of two regiments of cavalry. A board of officers, appointed to consider their equipment, recommended a distinctive hat for cavalry. Because this happened during Davis' tenure the hat is sometimes called the Jeff Davis hat. It also was referred to as the Hardee hat, after William Joseph Hardee, an officer of the 2nd Cavalry. In 1858 the hat was approved for the entire army, replacing the cap (shako) of 1851. The trim of the 1858 model was somewhat different from that used on the 1855 cavalry model. The hat was made of black felt and had various insignia, which were embroidered for officers and brass for enlisted men. It was looped up by an eagle on one side and decorated with ostrich feathers on the other. The side on which the hat was looped up was changed several times during the period the hat was in use. The drawing above (see picture) shows the hat looped on the left as worn 1858-1861 by artillery and infantry officers. On the front of the hat was insignia of the branch of service and in some cases the regimental number and company letter. Hat cords were in the branch color for enlisted men, in mixed black and silver for company or field officers, and in gold for general officers. The hat for enlisted men was issued and for officers it was private purchase and made with a binding of black ribbed silk around with outside of the brim.

There is a general consensus based on period photographs that the hat was much less popular with the Civil War soldier than the forage cap, which was also introduced in 1858. The hat was intended as an article of dress wear and the forage cap for fatigue duties. Civil War diarist Elisha Hunt Rhodes mentions that when the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry departed for the battle of the First Manassas (Bull Run),

" Our large felt hats with a blue cord and brass eagle were left in the First Sergeant's tents."

Additional evidence is that the use of the hats in the field by the Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac was considered distinctive.

Infantry Hats were always folded on the left until 1868. All other branches of services were folded on the right.

cited from: http://howardlanham.tripod.com/link105.htm