Dress
Period1860 - 1865
Place MadeU.S.A.
MediumCotton
ClassificationsCostume, Children's
Credit LineGift of Miss Julie B. Fouche, 1944
Object number1988
DescriptionA young child's simple dress or gown, constructed with a shallow square neckline, separate flared short sleeves, and a flaring skirt. An additional triangular fabric panel was sewn to the proper right side of the skirt to piece out the full flare of the skirt. Simple off-white cotton lace trims the neckline and sleeve edges. The fabric itself is a printed cotton, in an alternating pattern of dotted stripes in brown and red with bands depicting a Union Army soldier holding an American flag, standing above a banner reading "UNION FOREVER," with two soldiers manning a cannon.Curatorial RemarksThis fabric, including pairs of crossed American flags, Union soldiers, and cannon, also feature the words "Union Forever." The words were taken from one of the most popular songs of the Civil War period, "The Battle Cry of Freedom," also known as "Rally 'Round the Flag," was written by American composer George Frederick Root (1820-1895). "Union Forever" was emblazoned upon banners, posters, flags, ribbons, and as in this case, included in patriotic fabric prints. At least one other child's dress from the same time period exists using similar patriotic patterned fabric and is in the collection of the National Museum of American History. Young children's garments are sometimes difficult to differentiate whether they were made for boys or girls. While this type of gown was worn by both little girls and boys, the nature of the fabric with its soldiers and patriotic motifs may indicate its original owner was a small boy.NotesThis charming child's dress was donated by Miss Julie Barricklo Fouche (1880 - 1949) in 1944. Born in 1880, Miss Fouche was a descendant of Barnt De Klyn, the original owner of "Bow Hill." De Klyn built his mansion outside of Trenton in 1790 and later rented it to Joseph Bonaparte, older brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, as a home for his mistress Annette Savage. Julie Fouche donated a number of historic clothing items, many owned and worn by her mother, Elizabeth "Lissie" Barricklo Fouche (1866 - 1938).
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