The William Wing Loring Virtual Museum

Loring’s tarboosh (a hat very similar to a fez). Like the other items on this page, it is part of the collections of the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee. Other items at the museum include Loring’s Egyptian uniform, and his Civil War general’s sash.

Loring’s epaulets, dating from his service with the U.S. Mounted Rifles, but also worn as a part of his Egyptian uniform. The last holdover from medieval suits of armor, the fringe is actually made of metal.

Loring’s favorite sword (and sheath), presented by the city of Apalachicola in May of 1848 in recognition of his service in the Mexican War. An inscription on the sheath reads:

These words of praise from General Winfield Scott became the regimental motto of the Mounted Rifles. Loring was also honored with resolutions of appreciation by the Florida House and Senate. This is the same sword Loring carried during the Civil War.

The Order of Osmania, one of two Turkish decorations conferred upon Loring. “The Osmanli, the first decoration I received, was presented to me in person by the Khedive. It was given to me for the first year of my service.”

Grand Officer of the Medjidie (neck badge), a Turkish decoration given to Loring before his return to the United States. “The decoration of the Grand Officer of the Medjidieh was bestowed for subsequent services, through the chief of staff of the Egyptian army, the most usual channel of giving these decorations to the individual honored, particularly when there are several, as there were in this instance, to receive them. It was presented to me in person by General Stone in the name of the Khedive in the most complimentary manner.”

Grand Officer of the Medjidie (breast badge). In addition to the decorations, Loring was promoted to Féreek Pacha (major general), the highest grade in the Egyptian and Turkish military. “I was especially gratified, after ten years of varied service in his government, that [the Khedive] should have publicly expressed not only his pleasure with it, but a request at the same time that I should remain still longer in it.”

This portrait of Loring was painted in Alexandria in 1872. However, notice that it includes his three decorations. Since Loring did not receive the medals until at least 1878, it is obvious they were added to the painting at a later date.