Epaulets and Box

Period1861

Place MadeNew York, U.S.A.

MediumSteel, brass, cotton, bullion wire, cardboard

Dimensions3.25 × 3.5 × 8 in. (8.3 × 8.9 × 20.3 cm)

InscribedA pencilled inscription reading "James S. Yard" is written across the bottom of the retailer's paper label on the top of the storage box.

SignedBoth epaulettes are stamped on the underside with the maker "HORSTMANN SONS & DRUCKER / NEW YORK." The retailer's label is glued to the top of the storage box, reading "William H. Smith & Co. / 4 Maiden Lane New York / Importers and Dealers in / Military Goods, / Guns, Pistols, Cutlery, &c."

ClassificationsMilitary Artifacts

Credit LineGift of Joseph A. Yard, 1937

Object number989

DescriptionA pair of military epaulettes, or shoulder insignia decorations, with a spine (central panel) covered in corded gold fabric. The narrow portion of the epaulette nearest the wearer's collar includes a small gold button with an American eagle flanked with five-pointed stars. At the shoulder end of the epaulette, known as the bezel, a C shaped bracket caps heavy coiled gold bullion wire looped fringe. The underside of the epaulettes include the steel framework and a bar or clasp which slides under a fabric band sewn to the wearer's uniform coat, holding the epaulette in place. The epaulettes include their original storage box, made of cardboard and covered in bright red textured paper.
Curatorial RemarksThese beautifully made epaulettes were the product of Horstmann, Sons & Drucker. Johann Wilhelm Heinrich Horstmann, born in Germany, emigrated to Philadelphia in 1816, changing his name to William H. Horstmann. Trained as a passimentier or garment trimming specialist, Horstmann partnered with Frederick Hoeckley, a maker of carriage and upholstery braid and trimmings. In 1828, Horstmann bought a Philadelphia swordmaking business, shifting the company's production to military goods and accessories including edged weapons and uniform items such as buttons and epaulettes. Horstmann, Sons & Drucker had offices and factories in both Philadelphia and New York City. The company was awarded the majority of the Union Army contracts during the Civil War, and by 1863 Horstmann advertised that it was the largest manufacturer of quality military goods in the United States. The epaulettes were purchased from William H. Smith & Company, "importers and dealers in military goods, guns, pistols, cutlery." Epaulettes, ornamental shoulderpieces as part of many military uniforms past and present, have their roots in ancient Roman mililtary uniforms. During the Civil War, epaulettes such as these, with the bright gold bullion fringe, were part of the dress uniform of officers. James Sterling Yard most likely purchased this pair at the start of the Civil War before accompanying the Third Regiment as a Major.NotesJames Sterling Yard was born on 20 April 1826 in Trenton, New Jersey. His grandfather, Benjamin Yard (1769 - 1832) was a carpenter, who built the triumphal archway in Trenton under which George Washington rode in 1789 on his way to his inauguration as first president of the United States. James Yard's father, Joseph Ashton Yard (1802 - 1878) was a lifelong Trenton resident, serving as the Keeper and Warden of the State Prison there. Joseph Yard served as a Captain in the Tenth U.S. Infantry during the Mexican War. James Yard began his career as a reporter and editor at Trenton's "True Republican" newspaper. Yard also served as editor for a number of New Jersey papers including the Long Branch News, Hightstown Gazette, and The Ocean County Courier. James Yard's name first appeared on the banner of The Monmouth Democrat on January 12, 1854, as the paper's new owner and editor. Yard would operate the paper until 1899, when failing health had him turn the operation of his beloved newspaper over to his son Joseph Ashton Yard (1866 - 1939). At the start of the Civil War, James S. Yard turned over daily operations of the Monmouth Democrat to colleagues in order to serve as a Major in the 3rd Regiment, a three months' regiment. The men of the 3rd, under Major Yard, were part of the defensive position formed around Washington, D.C. in the early days of the war. After returning to Freehold in August of 1861, Yard took up his editorial duties at the Democrat once again. Governor Charles Olden appointed Yard with the task of raising and assembling Monmouth companies for the Union Army. Yard also served as commander of Camp Vredenburgh, where the men of Monmouth trained in the summer of 1862 as part of the New Jersey 14th Regiment. James S. Yard married Adaline Clark Swift (1837 - 1912) in 1856. The couple had seven children, all born in Freehold. Yard's son Joseph (1866 - 1939) and daughter Adeline (1868 - 1942) both worked with their father at the Monmouth Democrat, writing articles and reporting on Monmouth's news. By the mid to late 1890s, James Yard turned over much of the daily operations of the newspaper to Joseph and Adeline. When Joseph enlisted to fight during the Spanish American War in 1898, Adeline served as editor-in-chief and ran the paper herself. James Sterling yard died on April 29, 1900, at the age of 74. His obituary in the newspaper he ran for almost fifty years was accompanied with numerous tributes, letters and comments celebrating the his life, career, and achievements. The Historical Association has numerous Yard family-related items in its collection, including one of the printing presses from the Monmouth Democrat and James Sterling Yard's officer's dress sword.

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