Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

[Mississippian]

Gents,

Went by the University of Mississippi Museum today to look at the shell jacket of Pvt. William D. Howell, Co. I 3rd Mississippi Cavalry. Pvt. Howell was KIA at the battle of Ezra Church in July 1864 at the age of 18. According to info at the University, the jacket was made by his mother here in Lafayette County MS, and kept after the war by his sister.

Notes on the Jacket:

8 button front (U.S. Rifleman Buttons)
4 buttons on cuffs (small Rifleman buttons)
two pockets on either side of the body.

The material is a dark lead color jean cloth.

Also in the case across the room, was a scrap of material said to be from the uniform of a man named Edwin D. Seal, and was donated by his niece, who was from Norfolk VA. Now after a search, I found a Edwin D. Seal in Co. G of the 6th VA Inf., a Norfolk regiment. The material is gray-blue and 100% wool, which is why I think it's imported English Army Cloth.

I'm going to try and get some pics in the next few days.

Will MacDonald

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

Will, I know I'm reviving an old thread, but did you ever manage to get any pictures of this jacket? It has been rotated out while they renovate the exhibit. I hope it returns when they're finished. I have written the museum asking for pictures, but have not received a reply.

Best,
JSK

[Jimmayo]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

Gents,

Also in the case across the room, was a scrap of material said to be from the uniform of a man named Edwin D. Seal, and was donated by his niece, who was from Norfolk VA. Now after a search, I found a Edwin D. Seal in Co. G of the 6th VA Inf., a Norfolk regiment. The material is gray-blue and 100% wool, which is why I think it's imported English Army Cloth.

I'm going to try and get some pics in the next few days.

Will MacDonald

Another Norfolk soldier from Company B, 61st Va. Material from the Seal uniform is probably the same as used for Abner Grandy's uniform he is wearing in this post-war image.

[Mississippian]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

I don't know if they put the jacket back out or not. I'll ask one of my friends in Oxford to have a look see. It's a nice jacket with a solid Mississippi State Troops/C.S. Cavalry provenance. The university also has Howell's diary and a picture of him wearing a check civilian shirt.

Will MacDonald

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

I think you will also find that the Howell jacket is not jeans cloth. It is eaither cadet gray broadcloth or satenette.

[Mississippian]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

Marse Pat,

It could be Satinette, but there seemed to me to be a cotton warp on the fabric that wasn't the same color as the wool weft. I'm pretty sure it's not broadcloth.

Will MacDonald

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

It's been 25 years since I last saw that jacket. Couldn't remember about the cotton warp/weft, but did know it wasn't jeans. So, you are correct young sir. It wouldn't be broadcloth.

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

With major thanks to Dave Ray and to Marti Funke, Collections Director at the University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses, I was able to get some pictures of the William Howell jacket. These pictures are for research purposes only, are posted on this forum with the permission of the University of Mississippi Museum, and may not be otherwise reproduced.

The jacket is very interesting. To my eye, the material looks like English blue-gray 100% wool broadcloth. Where there are moth holes, I can't pick up any cotton showing through other than the lining. Enjoy; discuss!

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

More pictures:

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Notes on A Confederate Shell Jacket

Very interesting jacket. Since there is a lack of cotton warp fibers "behind" the wool at the moth nips, this is an all-wool material. To my eye it looks like a very fine and light weight plain-weave cadet gray wool. The sleeve lining might be cotton drill or silesia (both twill woven, with silesia being lighter weight and usually glazed). In the last two photographs posted I can see the body lining through the moth nip at right under the collar; this lining looks like a tabby weave and is likely a rough osnaburg. Nice use of piecing at the front and side panels too.