Frock Coat with Sash

This frock coat belonged to Major Peter Vrendenburg of the 14th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was known as “The Monocacy Regiment” because their first assignment was to protect the Monocacy Junction in Frederick, Maryland in 1862. They were stationed at the junction for nine months, and then returned as reinforcements at the Battle of Monocacy in July 1864. Several letters from Vrendenburg to his mother have enriched the story of the battle, the regiment’s time at the junction, and civilians involved. In one letter he describes having breakfast with Col. Keefer Thomas on the Araby Farm the morning of the battle. He had become friends with the family while stationed at the junction, and even left his hunting dog, Dash, in their care when the regiment left the junction to join the 3rd Division of the 6th Corps after the Battle of Gettysburg. The day of the battle, while his unit was in reserve near the Thomas House, Vrendenburg went into the house to check on the family who were hiding in their cellar. Then he went through the house to lock drawers and retrieve a basket of silver and other valuables the family was collecting for safe keeping. His letters provide us with an intimate look at both the soldier and civilian experience during the Battle of Monocacy.

It is believed that Vrendenburg was wearing this frock coat when he was killed at the Battle of Third Winchester on September 19, 1864. As he led the regiment against an enemy artillery battery, he was hit in the throat by an unexploded 3-inch shell and killed instantly.