Brig. General Elias A. Brown, 40th N.Y. State Militia

[GAR]

For your viewing pleasure, I came across some pictures that show great close up detail of the uniform, tack and gear of Brig. General Elias A. Brown. Enjoy!

http://www.aaawt.com/html/brown_collection3.html

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Brig. General Elias A. Brown, 40th N.Y. State Militia

Thanks Gary!! Nice equipments...One comment......That might have been "his" saddle but I doubt very seriously that it was the saddle he rode in service with these equipments. Only one photo to go by but,....Nothing fits....the saddle does not fit the schabraque in size nor that of any of the other equipments in style or pattern and in general, it is very un-becoming a general officer- even a militia officer. It appears to be more of an British- made English civilian riding saddle. Perhaps, post war?
I know nothing of this man and I find nothing on him in "Generals In Blue" but a little more via GOOGLE. Apparently he was simply a N.Y. state militia officer. Was he a war time or pre war Colonel or Dragoon officer with a post war "brevet General" rank, militia rank, etc? Perhaps others can provide more biographical information?
Anyway, I really like the schabraque, bridle, breast collar etc. All high quality. Wonder if some or all of it was made by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of N.Y.C.? I note they have a very pre-war style to it with the patterns and eagle motifs, etc. which was a common war time "copy-cat" occurance even for volunteer and militia officers. Lots of similarities to Gen. Beattie's saddle and equipments on my web site www.confederatesaddles.com ....under "Photo Galleries",.... "Federal Horse Equipments". Also look under "Dragoon Horse Equipments" for more "like" stuff'. Interestingly, I just learned today that Gen. Beattie's saddle, bridle, bit, schabraque, etc. sold recently, along with a Ringold saddle .....to the tune of $50,000! Still, some high quality (and dollar) stuff floating around and changing hands.

** OH!! and the leopard skin covered pommel holsters!! WOW!....now, if we could only find his matching trousers...!!

Ken R Knopp

[GAR]

Re: Brig. General Elias A. Brown, 40th N.Y. State Militia

Ken, I thought the same thing about the saddle. It's like wearing brown loafers with a tuxedo. I would think the missing saddle would almost have to be a Grimsley. Those trousers you mentioned, belonged to Capt. Samuel Richardson of the 2nd Texas Cavalry (with a matching brace of waist holsters) which was probably yet another style influenced by the French Foreign Legion.
I liked the "NY" bridle rosettes. Since tack was private purchase, I wonder if I could do something similar with mine? Either "KS", or perhaps a regimental number or a company letter? Was that done very often, or at all? I still haven't learned the differences but I have seen "USA" on an artillery bridle and wondered if it was branch specific. Nothing wrong with the "US" rosette other than it seems redundant, with it already used on the bit. I also wondered if the yellow trim on the breast strap was leather as it looks more like cloth. Opinions?
As for Brown, there is an introduction page that I think you missed, so I cut and pasted it here. He was probably thought too old at 50 (gasp) to serve in the CW, but apparently his son did.
Here's his bio:

From his early life, Elias A. Brown (b. 1811, Albany, N.Y.), took a special interest in the military. Elias attended Albany Academy, and then began his military training as a cadet in Middleton, Connecticut’s Scientific Military Academy 1824-26. After serving as an officer aboard the steamer North American while it was sunk on the Hudson by ice in 1838, Brown moved to Minaville, N.Y. to marry the daughter of General Jay Cady, subsequently becoming Cady’s partner in Minaville’s General Store.

Over the years, Brown became the sole owner of the General Store, and served as postmaster, town clerk, and Justice of the Peace, but always kept his hand in the military. In 1850, Brown was Brigade Inspector of the 13th Brigade, N.Y. National Guard. In 1853, Brown joined the Military Association as brevet major, becoming colonel in 1854 in the N.Y. Volunteers, 40th Infantry Battalion, 5th Division, 18th Brigade, and was assigned one company of Calvary.

When the Civil War broke out, Brown used his store as a recruiting center, and took on the role of Brigade General, 13th Brigade, N.Y. Volunteers. Brown's son took an active role in the war, and the senior Brown contributed to Montgomery County, N Y. until his death in 1890, remaining Brig. General through the Railroad Riots in 1876, heading the Democratic committee for years, and participating in local fraternal organizations.

Fortunately, the family had the good sense to keep much of Brig. Gen. Brown's possessions relating to his long career of service to his country. Brown's regulation frock coat, kepi, forage cap, and many personal military items such as Brown's leopard skin pistol holders, belt plates and buckles, scrambled eggs , rank decoration, gloves, hats, rain gear, etc. were kept along with his regulation Brig Gen. saddlecloth, saddle, parade and general use tack, mss. and tactical books, along with an appliquéd banner with "Our Heroes, Welcome Home" and another related Civil War banner celebrating the end of the war, a wooden hat box with an inlaid 5th Corp Badge insignia, several pieces of fraternal material, and more.

Brig. Gen. Brown was photographed wearing the very same frock coat, and carrying his kepi. Brown's house and store remained in the same family from 1811 to 1978, when the contents were sold to the current owner via a documented transaction. Every piece in this collection is guaranteed original to the Brown collection. Although no photography will be included in the lot, copies of select images and a complete provenance will be given to the buyer.