In answer to the inquiry concerning U.S. Headgear for the War of 1812 the following information might be of interest.

SHAKO (Late 1811)

A black cylindrical cap of felt or beaver was prescribed for infantry platoon officers and enlisted personnel.

It was to be 6 inches to 7 1/4 inches in height with a visor of 2 1/2 inches; with cords and tassels; and a front plate `with the eagle, the number of the regiment and designation of the service.' This cap was not unlike the British stovepipe shako.

THE 1813 SHAKO

In response to a recommendation by Callender Irvine, the Commissary General of Purchases, in December 1812; the U.S. Secretary of War approved a new pattern infantry cap on 23rd January 1813. The appearance of this cap was similar to the British Belgic shako.

Irvine Stated;

"For the men of the Light Artillery, Infantry, Artillery and Rifle Regiments, I propose to furnish Leather caps in lieu of felt caps, the former being preferable as to appearance, comfort, durability and on the score of economy, the leather cap will cost $1.

The felt cap costs 87 1/2 cents, the former will last three to four years with decency, under any circumstances two years, the latter but one year and will not look decent half that time, the first wetting injuires its good appearance."

In February 1813 Irvine stated his intention to furnish the Army with leather caps "as soon as those on hand and contracted for arc issued." During March and April he let contracts for the cap at an average cost of $1.79.

The Uniform Regulation 1st May 1813 states, "Leather caps will be substituted for felt, and worsted or cotton pompoms for feathers."

Postwar Regulations state, "Cap, for the N.C.O.'s and Privates of all Corps, the same as that worn by the infantry, with white pompoms, black cockades, and yellow cockade eagles; the other ornaments of the cap to correspond with the trimmings of the Corps."

The other ornaments included a band and tassel and the cap plate.

Further official correspondence adds that the cap was lined, had a front piece 2 inches above the crown, and had rings and buttons one on each side of the cap to secure the bands and tassels. In 1816 the dimensions are given as: height of back 7 1/2 inches, height of front above crown 2 inch, diameter of top 7 inch, diameter of bottom 7 1/4 inch, flaps on the back.

The cap was a success from the point of durability and thus economy for only two were issued each soldier during his five year enlistment.

In fact by September 1816 the cap was prescribed for enlisted men of all branches of the service.

LEATHER CAP

A copy of the Journal of the Company of Collectors and Historians has a photograph of a U.S. 1812 Leather Cap. It is either a Militia cap or the Yeoman crowned cap issued to the Regular Army Light Artillery. The cap is much shrunken and its dimensions at present are: Diameter of top 7;/4 inch ( inch thick), height at back 6 inch, height in front 5 1/4 inch (scooped out to take visor), width of visor in front of 2'/a inch, folded flap on back 4 inch (but much shrunken).

The remaining flap button is of plain white metal; the scam of the crown is on the left side, covered by a plume socket which comes to about an inch below the edge of the crown.

There are no holes of any kind, nor any indication of any ornaments such as a plate or cords having been worn. A plate may have been secured by a string or strap around the crown and the cockade tied around the stem of the pompom. The cap was originally black, the visor, sweat-band (is only in front but might have gone all round) and flap still are.

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