Lincoln McDowell

William O. Lincoln, Jr. was born on April 20th 1838, in Hingham Massachusetts. At 23 he enlisted on Christmas Eve, 1861 to serve in the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. While it was not clear what his exact motivation to enlist was, his pension records indicate that he was unemployed at the time. On April 10th, 1862, he was promoted to battallion commissary Sergeant, and served until he was overcome with chronic bronchitis. His illness was severe enough that he was discharged from military service on November 16th, 1862, in Washington DC.

Sgt. Lincoln returned to civilian life, and after the war, worked as an auditor for the town of Hingham Massachusetts. On August 17th, 1870, he married Mary Rogers Hoar, who was a former resident of Denver Colorado. In 1903, Sgt. Lincoln applied for a pension for his disabling bronchitis caused by his military service. On April 14th, 1907, Sgt. Lincoln, passed from this world into the next.

It is presumed that upon his return to civil life, he purchased the cap, upon which, the reproduction is based.¹

The cap, which was in the former Stamatellos brothers collection , is pictured in the now famous Time/Life series Echoes of Glory. Unfortunately, the cap is covered by an even rarer rain cover, which hide some of the major details making this cap unusual. Of particular note is the Faux welting achieved on the edge of the brim, by pressing both a line, and a simulated line of stitching into the leather. Depending on the lighting, the impression is given of an actual welt attached to the edge of the visor. Also, of note, is that despite the fact that Sgt. Lincoln was a cavalryman, the cap bears Eagle "I" buttons.

Also of note, in the same area, is the double slotted chinstrap, which more than likely was intended for removal or replacment of broken chinstraps.The Maker

The most prominent and perhaps most documentable feature of the original cap is the maker's mark in the crown. Clearly stamped is the name, A.W. POLLARD & CO., which is an old clothing firm dating back to the 1830's.

The owner of the firm during the Civil War, started as a partnership with Lendell F. Tarbett, in 1830, having a clothing store at 46 West Market Street. From about 1862 onward, the firm is listed at operating from 6 Court Street, and dealing in military and regalia goods.

The firm was later reorganization in January 1863, to A.W. Pollard and Co, taking on Byron A. Pollard and Samuel P. Leighton as partners.²

Owing to the markings corresponding to this reorganization, it is very likely, that Sgt. Lincoln purchased this cap subsequent to his discharge from the army. If this is indeed the case, it raises further questions as to why a cavalryman would not insist on "C" buttons, especially if the cap was purchased away from the front, in a metropolitan setting. Other unissued contract issue forage caps of the "type II" pattern, are noted in both the West Point and National Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, as bearing "I" buttons.

After careful sourcing and pattern development, I am proud to offer this high quality reproduction. This cap features many items exclusive to the private purchased caps of the period, including a folded and stitched sweatband, carefully set by hand. Also, accurately duplicated is the beaded and tooled visor, which, as noted above, simulates a bound edge.

One of the major features is the custom made cap, is the jewelry grade adjustment buckle pictured at left. The Lincoln cap bore an identical buckle, which apparently was hand made. It bore the same mitred corners as shown. This is the first offering of a reproduction of this piece of hardware, and is sure to stand out as a unique piece of headgear.

Both the sweatband and crown are embossed with a custom, hand engraved die, of a high quality detail level, known as "treasury grade". This only completes the accuracy of this superb reproduction.
$120

¹ Pension Records and Geneological records provided by the Horse Soldier Military Antiques.
²Bruce S. Bazelon and William F. McGuinn, A Directory of American Military Goods Dealers and Makers 1785-1885, 1987 Bazelon and McGuinn