"These caps are made from a specially woven wool for maximum life span.  They are styled from originals in our collection as well as those in private and public collections.  In 1858, a board of officers designed the forage cap for general use in the Army.  It is important to know that the design was adopted in part because it allowed for construction by machine in great part, thus reducing the expense.  This dark blue wool cap was commonly worn by enlisted men in both theaters of the war.  

The forage cap has a high crown with a tall body meant to fall forward.   They have harness leather bills and chin straps with the correct brass slide.  They have a pasteboard crown reinforcement and cotton linings with leather sweatbands.   The forage cap has a welt around the top circle and across the top part of the bill the same color as the hat".