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HATS WITH HISTORY

Thundercolt

One of the Regulars
Messages
206
Location
MN
This thread "Hats with History" is a good idea. I'm glad someone else already thought of it :>)
 

Thundercolt

One of the Regulars
Messages
206
Location
MN
1875 - Hunting and camping party of Custer and invited guests. Fort A. Lincoln on the Little Heart River, Dakota Terr.

1. James Calhoun 2. Boston Custer 3. Myles Keogh 4. Margaret Custer Calhoun 5. Elizabeth Custer 6. George Custer 7. Thomas Custer


Note the character, with the Mutton Chops beard, on the lower right is wearing a "Pale Rider" style of hat.

1875 Custer relatives.jpg
1875 Pale Rider.jpg
Pale Rider.jpg
 
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18,171
Yep, his camping trip the following year didn't quite turn out like he had planned.
The man pictured is most likely Fredric Frances Gerard (1829 - 1913). As a native language interpreter to Custer, Gerard was present during the battle but only as an observer.

1710766231582.jpeg

IMG_5489.jpeg

The man sitting on the right end in the chair is Custer’s scout, Charley Reynolds from Meriden, KS (killed in battle).

IMG_5488.jpeg


I’ve always thought that Margret Calhoun lost more than Libbie Custer did that day. But Libbie went on to spin history & make a career out of her loss.
 

Thundercolt

One of the Regulars
Messages
206
Location
MN
The man pictured is most likely Fredric Frances Gerard (1829 - 1913). As a native language interpreter to Custer, Gerard was present during the battle but only as an observer.

View attachment 600482
View attachment 600483
The man sitting on the right end in the chair is Custer’s scout, Charley Reynolds from Meriden, KS (killed in battle).

View attachment 600486

I’ve always thought that Margret Calhoun lost more than Libbie Custer did that day. But Libbie went on to spin history & make a career out of her loss.
Great additional research and photos, thank you Jack!
 

Thundercolt

One of the Regulars
Messages
206
Location
MN
THE RAREST CONFEDERATE SLOUCH HAT IN EXISTENCE HENRY GOODNIGHT, COMPANY A, TERRELL'S TEXAS RANGERS - Cpl. Henry Goodnight, Company A, Terrell's Texas Rangers, was a hard fighting Texan from the start as he enlisted in Co. E, 13th Regiment Texas Cavalry (Burnett's Texas Cavalry) at the age of 19. Shortly thereafter Goodnight was discharged due to disability, but not wanting to sit out the war as his fellow Texans spilled their blood he re-enlisted in Company A, Terrell's Texas Rangers on October 19, 1863. Terrell's Texas Rangers were quickly sent to Louisiana to help turn the tide of Yankee advancement there culminating in several battles including the Battle of Mansfield and the Battle of Pleasant Hill. Col. Terrell was lauded for this performance there as Union General Nathaniel Banks' Red River Campaign was brought to a screeching halt. As Banks and his haggard Federals were retreating, the Union gun boat fleet on the Red River was stranded due to low waters. Union Col. Joseph Bailey quickly sought permission to try an ingenious tactic to raise the level of the water by building a series of dams to free the fleet. In the meantime, the Confederates, with Henry Goodnight and the rest of Terrell's Texas Ranger's, were in hot pursuit and saw their chance at the mishaps that had befallen Admiral Porter's boats. Gen. Banks ordered Gen. Andrew Smith to meet the Confederate assault and protect the rear of the Federal retreat. The Confederate cavalry and the Union rear guard clashed at Yellow Bayou on May 18, 1864 with some of the fiercest fighting on Louisiana soil as the line passed back and forth throughout the battle. For two hours, the battle seesawed until finally the underbrush caught fire and both sides broke action. Cpl. Goodnight and his fellow Rangers left the action only to meet with several skirmishes and raids throughout the remainder of the war.

This slouch hat, worn by Henry Goodnight in his capacity as a hard fighting Texas cavalryman, is made of very fine and high quality stiffened fur felt believed to be beaver. The hat is a medium tan color with a 4 ½" tall crown. Attached to the front of the hat is a 5 point brass star with the letters T-E-X-A-S in each point surrounding the letter "A" which denotes Cpl. Goodnight's Company.

Henry Goodnight - Slouch hat.jpg
Texas star.jpg
 
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