Extremely rare Confederate Field Grade officerÕs regulation kepi worn by Lt. Colonel Ezekiel Slocum Gulley, 40th Alabama Infantry, C. S. A. The capÕs cadet gray wool body is encircled with a very dark, almost black, wool band and sports a single piece leather brim with an embossed line around its perimeter. Gold bullion trim on the crown and sides consists of three wales signifying field grade rank. Of Southern manufacture, the kepi retains one 16mm Confederate local Alabama ÒMap-on-TreeÓ side button with a blank back (Albert 7Av and Tice AB202,As1). Ezekiel S. Gulley (1831 Ð 1896) was born in Wayne County, North Carolina and settled in Sumter County, Alabama before the Civil War. On March 10, 1862 he enlisted as a captain in the newly organized 40th Alabama Infantry at Mobile. The regiment saw considerable action at Vicksburg and Chickamauga while Captain Gulley was commander of Company ÒA.Ó On February 16, 1864 a battlefield promotion elevated Gulley to Major, in which capacity he served during the defense of Atlanta. On January 5, 1865, at the onset of the Carolinas Campaign, Major Gulley became Lt. Colonel Gulley. During the fierce Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, March 19 Ð 21, Gulley led the 40th AlabamaÕs last charge of the war, which cost the lives of three flag bearers. The shattered regiment thereafter was consolidated with remnants of the 19th Alabama and went to Greensboro under orders to protect Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. At warÕs end Lt. Colonel Gulley was quietly presented with the regimental colors and returned home with the battle flag secretly in his possession. The banner remained in GulleyÕs family until a descendant presented it to the Alabama Department of Archives & History in 1940. (A splendid image of the flag and the fascinating story of its survival are available online.) The kepi, however, was retained by GulleyÕs descendants and is now being released after nearly 150 years.

Descent through the family of Lt. Colonel Gulley

This kepi has been examined and authenticated by noted Civil War authority John Sexton, who concludes ÒÉThis is a pattern with not a lot of examples survivingÉvery rare original and authentic Confederate officerÕs cap made 1861 Ð 1864. It presents nicely and could be displayed Ôas foundÕ or restored by a credentialed conservator.Ó

Mr. SextonÕs report states: ÒThe kepi overall is in fair ÔrestorableÕ condition with dry leather brim, tarred cardboard stiffener in crown is sound with additional sewn or tarred sheeting (similar to weight & material of kepi rain covers. Cardboard stiffener under sweatband is distorted from age and possible swelling from being wet during kepis 150 year life. Wool body has severe moth damage, causing maybe as much as 10% of surface to be missing. Much of nap is missing too from mothing. Bullion trim is all intact though some thread attaching is loose.Ó

$8,000 - 12,000