Pre CIVIL War General Coale Md. Militia John Brown Raid Harpers Ferry Army Hat

  

PRE - CIVIL WAR ERA BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES McSHERRY COALE COMMANDING MARYLAND MILITIA AT JOHN BROWN RAID IN HARPERS FERRY, VIRGINIA IN OCTOBER OF 1859 - HIS ARMY HAT & BOX. When word of John Brown's raid on the United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry was happening orders were sent out immediately for Virginia & Maryland Militia and Federal Troops to help quell the situation. Brigadier General JAMES McSHERRY COALE was ordered to go to the fight about 20 miles away with his men. Lawyer, Coale had been Brigadier General of the Ninth Brigade of Maryland Militia since 1849.

The Ninth Brigade consisted of the 16th, 20th, 28th, and 47th Regiments, all from Frederick County, Maryland. The 16th Regiment, commanded by Colonel Edward Shriver, was the only part of the Brigade engaged in the Harper's Ferry insurrection in October 1859 by the abolitionist John Brown and his followers. James McSherry, (Coale's nephew) Shriver's second in command of the 16th Regiment, practiced law in Frederick at the time of the Harper's Ferry Insurrection. Son of James and Anne Ridgely McSherry, he was born in 1819 in Libertytown, Frederick County.

McSherry was a well known author and authority on Maryland history. His son James, who supported the South during the Civil War was briefly confined in Fort McHenry, later served as chief judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. The call for help to save the United States Arsenal from Brown's raiders was attended by Maryland Militia and other Federal Troops including U. Lee (the Civil War had not started yet) and J.

As known the Insurrection failed and John Brown was tried in Charles Town, Virginia and hanged shortly after. Brigadier General Coale played a very important role in saving the day and he and this hat was there to see history made. To Richard Coale who was born in 1760 and Catherine "Kitty" Coale was born in 1766. The General had 8 siblings, one being Sarah (Sallie) Sappington (born Coale). This military hat was obtained from the Sappington/Coale Family in Maryland as it had been passed down through the generations.

The Sappingtons and Coales seem to have been intertwined for many years and many were professionals such as doctors and lawyers, a well to do family. There were Sappingtons in the Maryland Militia as officers too. Offered as you see it in distressed condition.

It has not been cleaned and has several large tears front and aft to the formed felt material hat. There is I assume satin/silk trim and it has some makers label attached inside and has an attractive Brass Eagle Insignia on the outside and a metallic cord with a fancy portapee to dangle down attached as seen in the pics. The original blue cardboard hat box (21"x13"x7 in size) has old stains and wear as well but is solid and complete.

This is a rare piece of history for restoration and would be well served being placed in a Museum. See pics for details, ask questions. Our items are old used pieces from estates in Maryland and Pennsylvania and we can only offer the information we have been told or have found on the internet.

Please do the same for me. Please contact me if a problem exist so we can resolve the issue ASAP.

The item "PRE CIVIL WAR GENERAL COALE MD. MILITIA JOHN BROWN RAID HARPERS FERRY ARMY HAT" is in sale since Sunday, February 7, 2021. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\1784-1860\Original Period Items". The seller is "toymark" and is located in Glen Arm, Maryland. This item can be shipped to United States.