Exceptionally Rare Civil War Brigadier General of Infantry Shoulder Boards Verbally Attributed to Major General Joseph Hooker 

Description

Exceptionally Rare Civil War Brigadier General of Infantry Shoulder Boards 

Verbally Attributed to Major General Joseph Hooker 

 

An outstanding pair of Civil War Brigadier General’s shoulder boards, featuring the rare triple-bordered construction surrounding dark blue velvet fields denoting infantry service. Each board displays a finely embroidered general’s star enclosed within three substantial borders of gold bullion. The quality of manufacture, precision of the embroidery, and depth of the bullion work distinguish these as a particularly high-grade pair of Civil War general officer insignia. 

 

The triple-bordered configuration represents one of the most elaborate and desirable styles encountered among Civil War general officer shoulder boards. Far removed from the more commonly encountered single and double-bordered examples, these boards exhibit the craftsmanship and attention to detail associated with the finest privately purchased insignia of the period. The substantial bullion borders create an imposing appearance, framing the dark velvet centers and embroidered stars. 

 

This pair carries a verbal attribution to Major General Joseph Hooker, one of the most recognizable Union commanders of the American Civil War. Known as “Fighting Joe” Hooker, he distinguished himself during the Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, and Fredericksburg before assuming command of the Army of the Potomac in January 1863. Following Chancellorsville, Hooker continued his service in the Western Theater, participating in the Chattanooga Campaign and subsequent operations. The Hooker attribution comes from the New Market battlefield museum in Virginia and is accompanied by photos on display with his sword, belt, and hat cord.   

 

The boards survive as a matching pair, retaining their richly textured bullion embroidery, dark blue velvet fields, and distinctive triple-bordered construction.  

 

Their substantial proportions and quality of workmanship place them among the most impressive surviving examples of Civil War general officer insignia. 

 

Original Civil War general officer shoulder boards are scarce, and matching pairs of this triple-bordered configuration are particularly difficult to obtain. The combination of rarity, condition, and superior craftsmanship, a significant example of Civil War military insignia. 

 

Inventory Number: INS 481