ORIGINAL Civil War Union Eleventh Corps Kepi RARE!! 

Rare!! Original Union Eleventh Corps "Chasseur"-style kepi, Completely Original!!  Offered for auction, for serious bidders only, this completely original Union Eleventh Corps "Chasseur"style kepi.

(From Wikipedia:)

The XI Corps (Eleventh Army Corps) was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War, best remembered for its involvement in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg in 1863.

"The XI Corps was composed predominantly of German immigrants. Many of these soldiers could speak little English beyond "I fights mit Sigel", which was their proud slogan. President Lincoln chose Sigel less for his military skills than his influence on this important political constituency. Sigel was in command at the Second Battle of Bull Run, where the corps encountered more hard fighting, losing 295 killed, 1,361 wounded, and 431 missing; total, 2,087. At this time the three divisions were commanded by Generals Robert C. Schenck, Adolph von Steinwehr, and Carl Schurz (all with German-speaking skills); there was also an independent brigade attached, under the command of Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy.

By General Orders No. 129, September 12, 1862, the corps's designation was changed to that of the XI Army Corps, a necessary change, as McDowell's command had resumed its original title of the I Corps. During the Maryland Campaign, and during the fall of 1862, the XI Corps remained in Northern Virginia, in front of Washington, D.C., occupying various outposts in the vicinity of Centreville. In December, it marched to Fredericksburg, but was not present at the battle, after which it went into winter quarters at Stafford, Virginia.

General Howard commanded the corps at Chancellorsville, May 1–3 1863, at which time it numbered 12,169 effectives, and was composed of the divisions of Generals Charles Devens, von Steinwehr, and Schurz. It contained 27 regiments of infantry, of which 13 were German regiments. The men of the XI Corps were good soldiers, for the most part tried and veteran troops, but their leadership let them down. On May 1, Robert E. Lee and his top subordinate, "Stonewall" Jackson, came up with a risky, but daring, plan of attack. They would split their 40,000-man force at Chancellorsville, with Jackson taking his Second Corps of 28,000 men around to attack the Union right flank. On May 2, Jackson flawlessly executed his stealthy flanking march, whose target happened to be the unlucky XI Corps. The right flank of the Union line was not anchored to any geographic barrier, such as a river or mountain; the flank was "in the air". Although General Howard had been warned of Confederate movement across his front, he took no steps to prepare his command against Jackson's attack. When Jackson's corps struck at about 6 p.m., the XI Corps was completely unprepared, many of the men engaged in eating supper. The attack was a complete success and the high point of Jackson's military career, but it was an utter disaster for the XI Corps. Some of the brigades were able to change front to meet the attack, and made a gallant resistance for over an hour, seriously retarding the enemy's onset, after which they retired slowly and in good order. The loss of the corps at Chancellorsville was 217 killed, 1,218 wounded, and 972 captured or missing; total, 2,407.

At Gettysburg the corps was still under the command of Howard; the divisions were under Generals Francis C. Barlow, Steinwehr, and Schurz, and contained 26 regiments of infantry and 5 batteries of artillery. The men of the Corps went into this battle with high anticipation and hopes that they could restore the reputation sullied at Chancellorsville. They arrived from south of town mid-day on July 1, 1863, aware that the I Corps was already heavily engaged just to the west of town. General Howard deployed one division (von Steinwehr's) on the heights of Cemetery Hill, as a reserve, and the other two divisions north of town. Howard briefly commanded the entire battle until the arrival of Winfield S. Hancock.

The Confederate Second Corps under Richard S. Ewell arrived from the north with a devastating assault. Barlow's division was deployed on the right and he foolishly moved his force to a small hill (that is now known as Barlow's Knoll), causing a salient in the line that could be attacked from multiple directions. The division of Jubal A. Early took advantage of this and Barlow's division reeled back. Barlow himself was wounded and captured. The collapse of the corps right flank had a domino effect on its left and on the I Corps division to its left, resulting in a general retreat of Union forces through the town of Gettysburg to the safety of Cemetery Hill, losing many captured on the way. On the second day, the XI Corps participated in the gallant and successful defense of East Cemetery Hill against a second attack by Early. On the day before the battle of Gettysburg, the corps reported 10,576 officers and men for duty; its loss in that battle was 368 killed, 1,922 wounded, and 1,511 captured or missing; total, 3,801, out of less than 9,000 engaged.

As can be see by the above narrative, the Eleventh Corps was heavily engaged at both Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, among other engagements.

This Eleventh Corps kepi is in overall good condition, retaining all of its original dark blue color, about 98% of its wool covering topside, both chinstrap buttons (Federal eagles), chinstrap, and tarred bill. The Eleventh Corps badge is in perfect condition, and is felt sewn to a braided bass edging. About half of the brown cotton liner is present, including the circular drawstring portion. It is missing the inner sweatband. The chinstrap is loose at one end, but all present, and stays put when displayed. The tarred bill is very thick and substantial, in very good condition, and is soundly connected to the rest of the kepi. A few moth holes, on the upper rear portion of the cap, do not detract from the overall appearance of this kepi, which is in good condition considering its age and its history. It appears to me to be of the "Chasseur" type, which has a slightly higher crown than a regulation kepi, but not so loose and floppy as a Forage cap.

Civil war cloth is getting harder and harder to find these days, in any condition, much less to be identifiable to a particular Division, and this specimen displays extremely nicely, and will be a great, historically significant addition to anyone's Civil war collection.

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On Aug-26-11 at 11:02:17 PDT, seller added the following information:

 SECOND BULL RUN - CHANCELLORSVILLE - GETTYSBURG.......A GREAT Kepi with a GREAT HISTORY!!!!

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On Aug-27-11 at 15:52:28 PDT, seller added the following information:

 NOTE: I have recently located the brass chinstrap buckle for this kepi, and have placed it on the chinstrap, which greatly enhances the look of the kepi on display!!

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On Aug-28-11 at 09:32:11 PDT, seller added the following information:

 Please contact me for a photo of the kepi with the chinstrap buckle attached. Thanks!!