A military hat called a "Chapeau-bras"-- French for a folding hat that can be carried under the arm-- which was worn by New York State Militia officer Jacob DeForest when he was the inspector of the Militia's 11th Brigade before the Civil War. He later went on to serve as a Colonel in the 81st New York Volunteer Infantry, a regiment from Oswego, during the Civil War. This is typical of pre-Civil War militia uniforms.
This item is an 1840s Shako -- a tall cylindrical military cap with a visor worn by armies between 1800 and 1860-- that was issued to a member of the 27th New York State Militia Artillery.
This unit later became the famous 7th New York State Militia whose history and honors are carried today by the 53rd Army Liaison Team of the New York Army National Guard.
In 1825, General Lafayette was touring the United States, and the 27th was one of a number of militia regiments which turned out to honor the Revolutionary War Hero. During the French Revolution Lafayette had commanded a citizen militia known as the Guard Nationale. To honor him the regiment renamed itself the "National Guard" that day. Lafayette noticed and left his carriage to inspect the troops. The name caught on and in 1862 the New York State Militia was renamed the New York National Guard.
This is a "dragoon helmet" worn in the 1850s by the 8th New York State Militia, a unit based in New York City nicknamed the "Washington Grays" because as a cavalry unit the regiment's ancestors guarded George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
This is a New York State issued Civil War fatigue jacket worn by Henry Adsit, a member of the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry.
The unit was known as the "Ellsworth Avengers". Col. Elmer Ellsworth was a Union Army officer from Mechanicville, New York who was a friend of Abraham Lincoln's. Colonel Ellsworth was killed by a Virginia hotel owner after he hauled down a Confederate Flag that was flying from a building in Alexandria, Virginia. The Ellsworth Avengers were recruited in Albany by an associated formed to keep Ellsworth's name alive.
Frock Coat, c. 1861-62
This is a New York State issued cartridge box, purchased for New York Soldiers in the Civil War by the state. A federal issued cartridge box would have a "US" plate and not an "SNY" plate as this one does.
This is a World War I officer coat and "Sam Browne Belt" worn by Capt. Rutherford Ireland who was a member of the 106th Infantry Regiment of the 27th Division. The 27th Division was a New York National Guard unit which fought in Belgium under British control as part of the II Corps during World War I. The coat displaces the distinctive Orion Patch of the division. The patch features the constellation of Orion, a reference to Major General John F. O'Ryan, the first division commander. The stars are connected by lines which make the letters N Y D for New York Division.
Officers wore the Sam Browne belt, designed by British Capt. Sam Browne, who lost an arm in Indian, to help him hold his sword in the right place. The Sam Browne belt was worn by American officers during World War I and up to World War II to indicate their rank.
This is an "Ike Jacket" which was worn by Sgt. Ernest A. Bruderhausen, a New York City resident, during World War II.
Bruderhausen was assigned to the 71st Infantry Regiment, a New York National Guard unit which served in Europe with the 44th Infantry Division. Sergeant Bruderhausen was the son of German immigrants who spoke fluent German and became a translator for his regiment.
New York State Military Museum Flags