The Hardee hat, also known as the Model 1858 Dress Hat was the regulation dress hat for enlisted men in the Union Army. The Hardee hat was also worn by Confederate soldiers. The Gray Hardee hat was produced in North Carolina. It is belived that in the year 1862, 9000 hats were manufactured, suggesting that they may have been issued to both officers and enlisted.

For Enlisted: The 1861 U.S. Army regulations specify the hat be adorned with a brass hat device designating corps, brass regiment number, brass company letter, and a wool hat cord denoting the branch of service of the wearer: sky blue for infantry, red for artillery, yellow for cavalry, crimson for ordnance, and green for mounted riflemen. The brim to be pinned up, with a brass eagle, on the right side for cavalrymen and artillerymen, and on the left for infantry soldiers.

For Officers: The 1861 U.S. Army regulations specify that the hat be adorned with an embroidered hat device denoting Branch of Service and a gold hat cord for general officers or a black and gold hat cord for Officers of the Adjutant General's, Inspector Generals, Quartermaster's, Subsistence, Medical and Pay Departments, and the Judge Advocate, above the rank of Captain.  The brim is pinned up, with a brass eagle, on the right side for officers. The hat is accented with 3 black ostrich feathers for general officers and 2 black ostrich feathers for Officers of the Adjutant General's, Inspector Generals, Quartermaster's, Subsistence, Medical and Pay Departments, and the Judge Advocate, below the rank of Field Officer.

This Undressed Hardee Hat is made of top quality gray wool felt, has a leather sweatband, and has a double-stitched brim edge. The brim edge is not bound in ribbon (officer's).

Hat cords, brass eagle, insignia, plume, company letter and regiment number are available at an extra cost.

NOTE: Additional shipping charges MAY be needed due to oversized box dimensions and weight of additional items in the order. Please Call with any questions.

Proudly MADE IN USA. 

 

Confederate (CSV) Captain David Williams
(1821 - 1862)
Home State: North Carolina 
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 3rd North Carolina Infantry

 

 Unidentifed Confederate Soldier; Photo courtesy Library of Congress.