Confederate Kepi from Olustee

Our thanks to Robyn Marlowe, Confederate Uniforms Authenticator, for these photos of a Confederate kepi found on the field during the Battle of Olustee.

Robyn states that, "My father collected. This piece belongs to the Cooper Collection and was aquired in the 1950's. The collection is currently being liquidated. I only act as the person who does the authentication writeup and examination."

Kepi from the front.

Kepi from the side

Kepi from the inside

Inscription on the Kepi's bill

The inscription reads:

"Rebel cap found near dead rebel soldier of the 28th Georgia, at Ocean Pond on February 20 1864 by my father James of the 7th Conn who shot him dead."

[Editor's Note: The color of the kepi is red. In the Civil War this meant it was probably worn by someone in the artillery. Perhaps the kepi wasn't taken off a soldier of the 28th Georgia, but of a cannoneer with an artillery battery in support of the 28th Georgia? Or maybe an infantryman lost his cap during the battle and picked this one up and wore it during the battle? Maybe the child of James, the Union soldier in the 7th Connecticut, didn't correctly remember the father's story? Or maybe James himself was confused about the events when he told the story later in life? Well, we weren't there, so who knows?]

Robyn's position entails detailing and examining fabrics, construction techniques and evaluation, ie. She states that she can tell a homemade from a quartermaster drawn uniform item. From there she can pinpoint approxomate year, and then examine the item to narrow it down to possible state and regiments. She does this by comparisons with other existing items. Robyn retains photographic rights for publishing. These photos of the kepi are reproduced here with her kind permission.

Battle of Olustee home page
http://battleofolustee.org/