This white sailor flat hat was worn by a sailor on board the USS Hartford, Admiral David G. Farragut’s flagship.
Launched in 1858, the 2,900 ton steam vessel Hartford participated in several of the most famous naval actions of the Civil War as part of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. The ship participated in the capture of New Orleans in April 1862, ran past the Vicksburg batteries that June, and fought the CSS Arkansas the following month. During the Siege of Vicksburg the USS Hartford patrolled between Port Hudson and Vicksburg, denying the Confederacy much needed supplies from the west. Hartford is probably best known for its role as Farragut’s flagship at the August 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay, when the admiral uttered his famous cry to “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
The sailor who owned this hat applied fancy crewel work, consisting of six stars in purple, red, white, blue, yellow and pink to the top of the hat. A black silk hat band or tally has the ship’s name, USS Hartford.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30263
