I recently became the owner of an original Confederate Kepi that was purchased at an estate sale in rural Covington Co., MS. The hat was accompanied by a letter:

"This hat was the property of John W. Sinclair. He was a private in Co. A, 18th Infantry. He came home in April and gave my Dad the hat.

Silas Foster

Gen. 12:3

Keep Always"

I am trying to verify the authenticity and seek any information possible about the names. Thanks for any help that anyone can give me. Russell Stewart