[CIVIL WAR]. Identified uniform grouping including cut-down frock coat, vest, and sash of Lt. Colonel John T. Lockman, 83rd and 119th New York Regiments, WIA at Gettysburg.

Navy blue seven-button, double-breasted short coat or roundabout with velvet-lined collar. Non-regulation lieutenant colonel insignia applied to 1 x 3 1/4 in. light blue wool folded over paper backing and sewn to the shoulders. Infantry eagle buttons on coat and cuff backmarked "Extra Quality" and "Waterbury Button Co." Three-button non-functional cuff. Sleeve approx. 9 1/2 in. width at elbow. Waist belt loops closed by eagle button at top and right outside pocket added most likely after jacket was cut-down. Sleeve, body, and pocket linings in place. Coat with tan polished cotton quilted lining and sleeves lined in white cotton. Coat with interior breast pocket on each side.

Nine-button vest of blue wool with polished cotton belted back and small eagle infantry buttons. Interior of vest with one pocket on the left breast and three exterior pockets. Pocket linings in place. Lining at collar with later inked identification "Lockman / Civil War."

Silk maroon waist sash retaining both 9 in. tassels (tassels faded and more heavily worn than sash itself).

Scattered mothing on jacket with wear and light soil. Strap on right shoulder of jacket is unstitched on one end. Four coat buttons no longer sewn to coat, affixed with pins, and may not be original to jacket. Vest with one button affixed with a pin, wear and fading from use, but generally in good condition. Sash with several small holes near tassel at one end.

[With:] Rare, early 2 in. cloth XX Corps badge, an approx. 2 1/2 in. ornately embroidered badge-like sequin star, and a Civil War period colonel's eagle insignia.

The jacket, vest, and sash were previously sold by the Horse Soldier in Gettysburg, PA, whose description indicates that the pieces were acquired at auction in New York City in 2017 from the Dr. Alan York Estate, and that the York collection included "other engraved and stenciled John T. Lockman pieces."

John Thomas Lockman (1834-1912) enlisted on 5/27/1861 at New York City, NY as a 1st Lieutenant and was commissioned into "H" Co. NY 83rd Infantry. He would serve with distinction for the full duration of the war. He was discharged from the 83rd on 9/22/1862 after being commissioned into Field & Staff NY 119th Infantry. He was mustered out on 6/7/1865 at Bladensburg, MD. HDS indicates he attained the rank of Captain 11/21/1861, Lt. Colonel 8/13/1862 (as of 119th NY Infantry), Colonel 5/2/1863, and Brig. General 3/13/1865 by Brevet for "meritorious services in the capture of Atlanta." The rank of colonel was achieved at the Battle of Chancellorsville when Lockman succeeded to the command of the regiment upon the death of Colonel Elias Peisner. He was severely wounded at Gettysburg and later led three regiments in an assault on a rebel battery at Resaca. Lockman continued to engage in steady action throughout the remainder of the war. After the war, he resumed his law studies which had been postponed at the onset of hostilities, graduating from Columbia Law School in 1867.

A highly desirable grouping worn by a notable soldier. Civil War ephemera owned by John T. Lockman, including another uniform, is housed in the collections of the New-York Historical Society.


The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann