REGULATION CONFEDERATE COLONEL’S KEPI OF EZEKIEL S. GULLEY, 40TH ALA INFANTRY.

REGULATION CONFEDERATE COLONEL’S KEPI OF EZEKIEL S. GULLEY, 40TH ALA INFANTRY. This kepi descended in family of Lt. Colonel Ezekiel S. Gulley of the 40th Alabama Infantry. Ezekiel Slocum Gulley entered Confederate service in March 1862 in Gaston, Alabama as a Captain. He was promoted to Major in Feb. 1864 at the beginning of the Atlanta campaign and to Lt. Colonel Jan. 5, 1865. The 40th Alabama saw much action during the war including the battles of Vicksburg, Chickamagua, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, New Hope Church and were present at the final battle of the Army of Tennessee Bentonville, NC. Lt. Colonel Gulley was present to the end where Adj. C.H. Ellerbee and Capt. James Latham were killed at this final battle March 18, 1865 at Bentonville, NC. The family donated the battle flag of the 40th Alabama a generation ago. That flag still resides in Alabama State archives. All features and configuration of this cap confirm the rank of Lt. Colonel or Colonel with 3 wales (ridges or strands) of gold braid and retained side button is a scarce Confederate local Alabama state seal. This is a seldom seen example of a Southern made “regulation Confederate Officer’s kepi” as prescribed by 1861 CS army regulations. This is a pattern with not a lot of examples surviving. Many of the survivors are scattered among America’s museums and other public institutions. The body of cap is cadet gray tabby weave wool with a 1-1/4” black wool band with hints of dark blue. Kepi has “field officer” grade of 3 wales of gold braid. Kepi is sewn with cotton and linen threads with an “S” twist of white, red, blue and brown. Nearly identical caps are seen in various pictorial histories of the war and of officers taken during the war and Commanders of the Civil War by William Davis shows at least two from Museum of the Confederacy. This kepi measures 2-1/2” in height, 5-1/4” seam from crown to base in back, crown measures 4-1/4” in diameter. This hat has no lining and no remnants are found, quite possibly this particular kepi was made without one and conservator agrees. Kepi retains most of a very fragile, cracking and breaking 1-1/2” tarred linen sweatband. The brim is made from a single piece of .15 (about 1/8”) leather with embossed line following perimeters. Chin strap is missing but one side button is retained. Button measures 16.2mm and is listed as AB 7Av in Alphaeus Albert, Record of American Buttons, 1976. All in all, this is a very rare original and authentic Confederate officer’s cap made 1861-1864. It presents nicely and could be displayed in any collection and it would be difficult to find a better identified field grade officer’s regulation kepi. CONDITION: The kepi overall is in good solid condition with dry leather brim, tarred cardboard stiffener in crown is sound with additional sewn on tarred sheeting (similar to weight & material of kepi rain covers. Cardboard stiffener under sweatband is distorted from age and possible swelling from being wet during kepis 150 year life. Wool body has conserved backing to areas of moth damage just completed by Henry Cooke IV, Historical Costume Services. There are approx. 10 areas of conservation that are backed with new cloth (which is simply tacked into place inside hat, which can be seen in photos; the largest hole of which is approx. 1-1/2″ x 1″, next largest of which there is three is 1/2″ x 1/2″. Other holes are approx. 1/4″ and smaller. Much of knap is missing too from mothing but does not affect aesthetics as can be seen in photos. Bullion trim is all intact though some thread attaching is loose. There is a report including pre-conservation photographs available upon request. 4-46865 JS145 (15,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2087	$18,975.00	REGULATION CONFEDERATE COLONEL’S KEPI OF EZEKIEL S. GULLEY, 40TH ALA INFANTRY. This kepi descended in family of Lt. Colonel Ezekiel S. Gulley of the 40th Alabama Infantry. Ezekiel Slocum Gulley entered Confederate service in March 1862 in Gaston, Alabama as a Captain. He was promoted to Major in Feb. 1864 at the beginning of the Atlanta campaign and to Lt. Colonel Jan. 5, 1865. The 40th Alabama saw much action during the war including the battles of Vicksburg, Chickamagua, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, New Hope Church and were present at the final battle of the Army of Tennessee Bentonville, NC. Lt. Colonel Gulley was present to the end where Adj. C.H. Ellerbee and Capt. James Latham were killed at this final battle March 18, 1865 at Bentonville, NC. The family donated the battle flag of the 40th Alabama a generation ago. That flag still resides in Alabama State archives. All features and configuration of this cap confirm the rank of Lt. Colonel or Colonel with 3 wales (ridges or strands) of gold braid and retained side button is a scarce Confederate local Alabama state seal. This is a seldom seen example of a Southern made “regulation Confederate Officer’s kepi” as prescribed by 1861 CS army regulations. This is a pattern with not a lot of examples surviving. Many of the survivors are scattered among America’s museums and other public institutions. The body of cap is cadet gray tabby weave wool with a 1-1/4” black wool band with hints of dark blue. Kepi has “field officer” grade of 3 wales of gold braid. Kepi is sewn with cotton and linen threads with an “S” twist of white, red, blue and brown. Nearly identical caps are seen in various pictorial histories of the war and of officers taken during the war and Commanders of the Civil War by William Davis shows at least two from Museum of the Confederacy. This kepi measures 2-1/2” in height, 5-1/4” seam from crown to base in back, crown measures 4-1/4” in diameter. This hat has no lining and no remnants are found, quite possibly this particular kepi was made without one and conservator agrees. Kepi retains most of a very fragile, cracking and breaking 1-1/2” tarred linen sweatband. The brim is made from a single piece of .15 (about 1/8”) leather with embossed line following perimeters. Chin strap is missing but one side button is retained. Button measures 16.2mm and is listed as AB 7Av in Alphaeus Albert, Record of American Buttons, 1976. All in all, this is a very rare original and authentic Confederate officer’s cap made 1861-1864. It presents nicely and could be displayed in any collection and it would be difficult to find a better identified field grade officer’s regulation kepi. CONDITION: The kepi overall is in good solid condition with dry leather brim, tarred cardboard stiffener in crown is sound with additional sewn on tarred sheeting (similar to weight & material of kepi rain covers. Cardboard stiffener under sweatband is distorted from age and possible swelling from being wet during kepis 150 year life. Wool body has conserved backing to areas of moth damage just completed by Henry Cooke IV, Historical Costume Services. There are approx. 10 areas of conservation that are backed with new cloth (which is simply tacked into place inside hat, which can be seen in photos; the largest hole of which is approx. 1-1/2″ x 1″, next largest of which there is three is 1/2″ x 1/2″. Other holes are approx. 1/4″ and smaller. Much of knap is missing too from mothing but does not affect aesthetics as can be seen in photos. Bullion trim is all intact though some thread attaching is loose. There is a report including pre-conservation photographs available upon request. 4-46865 JS145 (15,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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