LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72290

THE RAREST CONFEDERATE SLOUCH HAT IN EXISTENCE

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:37,500.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
THE RAREST CONFEDERATE SLOUCH HAT IN EXISTENCE
<B>THE RAREST CONFEDERATE SLOUCH HAT IN EXISTENCE</B></I> <B>HENRY GOODNIGHT, COMPANY A, TERRELL’S TEXAS RANGERS</B></I> <B> -</B></I> 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 fir 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. <BR><BR>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 skin. 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. <B><I>This hat was exhibited in the Confederate Room at the Travis Library after being in the Confederate Room at the Travis Library after being loaned by Goodnight’s widow in 1909. The paper museum tag is still with the hat and reads, “CONFEDERATE ROOM/TRAVIS LIBRARY/Worn by Henry Goodnight/Company A, Terrell’s Texas Cav./C.S.A./Lent by Mrs. Goodnight - 1909.”</B></I></B></I><I> </B></I>This label was once attached to the brim of the hat but is now archivally sealed in a separate container. The hat has been professionally restored as the bayous and swamps of Louisiana and the hard rides through the Texas hinterlands obviously caused considerable wear. After the war, Henry Goodnight settled temporarily in Rockwall, Texas in the saddle and harness business due to his vast knowledge of tack he gained during his years in the saddle as a Texas Confederate cavalryman. He later owned a grocery store in Goshen, Texas and established the Van Zandt County National Bank at Wills point, which he successfully operated. Goodnight died June 7, 1916. A truly remarkable and historically important Confederate slouch hat worn by a hard fighting Texas cavalryman. There is only one other identified Texas slouch hat know to exist; it is on display in the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia. A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a uniquely Texan and Uniquely Confederate slouch hat worn by one of Col. Terrell’s Texas Rangers. Also there is a family photograph of <I>Henry Goodnight</B></I> (The gentleman on the right). He is sitting with another gentleman; they are both wearing what appear to be re-union badges. The image is broken in half and has been repaired and glued on cardboard. (Accompanied by family provenance and Les Jensen authentication and research.) <BR><BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> Fine-very fine <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Clothing, Costumes & Jerseys (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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