To all; I'm researching my gggrandpa's Cavalry regiment for a painting I plan to do. I'm hoping someone can answer some questions that I have.... Question #1: Can anyone tell me what the uniform for a private in Co. E, 17th Illinois Cavalry would look like? From several photos of various Illinois Cavalry regts., I assume that it was a shell jacket with a high collar and two buttons on each side. But in most of the photos I've seen, there's no yellow trim on the collar and cuffs like you would expect on a cavalry jacket. Could the trim be another color? Would the trim be absent? Question #2: Would a private have worn a kepi or a Hardee hat? Again, I've seen several photos of soldier in Illinois Cavalry regts., and most seem to have worn short Hardee style hats. Was that a dress hat, or would they wear the Hardee hat into battle? Question #3: I have a hand-written note from Captain Charles Parker of the 9th US Cavalry (post-war), to my gggrandpa, Simeon Shaver, Co. E, 17th Illinois Cavalry. It reads... Capt. 9th Cavalry Fort Robinson Neb Charles Parker Simeon Shaver Private Co. E 17 Ill Cavly. "Most of the boys are calling upon me. Leo Grollmond came yesterday. Yours today. Hope your attorney will get all the dates right. Poor Crotzenburg died first." C.P. Capt. 9th Cavly. Does anyone have a guess as to what this note is discussing? Was veterans legally required to go through lawyers to collect a pension? Thanks! Chris Fossitt