A remarkable collection of Berkeley Border Guard uniform articles attributed to their leader, Colonel John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch (1824-1892), later of the 2nd Virginia Infantry. Items include: 

1. Berkeley Border Guards militia shako. 

Black wool shako with dark green velvet band. Bound patent leather visor and strap with brass buttons. Red patent leather sweatband and waxed cotton lining. With 1858 pattern officer's hat insignia, gold and silver bullion on green velvet with red and black thread detail. Green velvet bears embroidered gold bullion wreath and riflemen's trumpet insignia, with superimposed regimental letters "BBC" representing Berkeley Border Guards in silver bullion. Overall approx. 10 1/2 x 7 x 7 in. 

2. Brass dress epaulettes. Approx. 7 in. With original pasteboard box with Canfield, Bro. & Co. of Baltimore importer's label. 

Officer's dress epaulettes, almost certainly of European manufacture. In their original box with importer's paper label advertising that they are "Importers, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Military Goods" and more. 

3. Brass plate with company letter "A". Three hooks, with additional soldered pin and hook. 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. 

INSCRIBED TO REVERSE: "J. F. Nadenbousch." 

The Berkeley Border Guards was an antebellum Virginia militia company formed near Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), led by miller, distiller, and businessman John Quincy Adams Nadenbousch (1824-1892).

The collection here features the incised signature of "J.F. Nadenbousch" undoubtedly connecting the fine shako, epaulettes, and company plate to the Colonel of the Berekley Border Guards. The incised signature may be that of his father, James Frederick Nadenbousch (1778-1854), or his son, James Frederick Nadenbousch (1852-1884). It seems most likely, however, that it was added by a proud son eager to follow in his father's footsteps. 

Before the war, the Berkeley Border Guards were notably present at the execution of radical abolitionist John Brown.

Upon the outbreak of war, most of the regiment was designated as Company D of the 2nd Virginia Infantry, part of the "Stonewall Brigade" led by General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Records indicate, however, that Nadenbousch was commissioned as captain of Company A of the 2nd Virginia. 

At the Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), they saw bloody action while driving back three heavy Federal attacks on the final afternoon of the Battle. Many of the men ran out of ammunition and defended their position with bayonets and threw rocks until Longstreet's assault saved the line from attack. Nadenbousch was wounded in the groin during the fracas. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Colonel.

At the Battle of Chancellorsville, Nadenbousch led the regiment, positioned on the right flank of the assault held in reserve to guard the Pank Road. On the second day, they assaulted Union breastworks and after a second charge, were successful in taking the Union position. The ferocious fighting resulted in heavy casualties, including a second wound for Nadenbousch. 

They continued in significant action with the Army of Northern Virginia, including the Battle of Gettysburg, where they took part in the assault on Culp's Hill. 

Nadenbousch's wounds affected him gravely, and in September 1863, he requested to be relieved of field duties. He was assigned as Post Commander at Staunton, Virginia, but resigned in April 1864 due to "being permanently physically disabled for duty in the field with my regiment." 

An extremely significant collection. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate]  [Relics, Militaria, Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms] [John Brown, Slavery, Abolition, Enslavment, Emancipation] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]