Knit Blouse Requisition

[GreencoatCross]

Friends,

I found this excellent little document on eBay earlier today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310119979111&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

If you look closely at the photos the seller has provided you'll see that knit blouses have clearly been requisitioned by Captain Chas. Wells of the 5th Pennsylvania Infantry. What makes this even better is that it's dated "September 22nd, 1862, Camp near Sharpsburgh, Md."

The 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, also known as the 34th Pennsylvania Infantry, was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, PA on June 21st, 1861 and mustered out in Harrisburg on June 11th, 1864. It seems that the regiment was only lightly engaged at Antietam losing two killed and eight wounded.

Captain Charles Wells enlisted on June 21st, 1861 and was mustered into Company B as sergeant. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on Sept. 26, 1861, to 1st Lieutenant on Dec. 16th of the same year, and Captain on July 1st, 1862. Wells was killed at Fredericksburg on December 13th.

Also interesting is the request for "tent blankets" which I assume is just another phrase for a shelter tent half or maybe a waterproof/rubberized blanket. At any rate it's the first clear evidence of the dreaded knit fatigue blouse being requested by anyone...much less soldiers in the field!

[markj]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

I'm more intrigued by the reference to "62 Under Shirts." Assuming this document is legitimate, I think this is the first time I've seen these items ordered by name.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

Good eye, Brian, thanks for posting...very neat to see.

[Rear Guard]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

I would guess a knitted blouse would basically be a like button-up sweater. How collegiate!

[Swag]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

This is excellent, Thanks for bringing this up. I have read of the knit blouse but have yet to see one, this is also the first I have read of it in a requisition, again great find.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

The same seller has other 5th Pennsylvania Reserves documents for sale, presumably from various companies in the regiment. The others also list knit blouses as well.

I've only seen a very, very small number of photos depicting what have been alleged to be knit blouses. This is the first "specific" document I've seen making note of them outside of the June 1864 Quartermaster Report (found here: http://cjdaley.com/1864QMreport.htm) which lists how many knit blouses, jackets, and shirts there are available at various army depots.

Pretty neat stuff.

[NYCivilWar]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

I have read of the knit blouse but have yet to see one, .

The White Oak Museum, in Falmouth, Va has the remnants of a knit blouse on exhibit. If you haven't been to the museum it is well worth the visit. You can check out their website at: http://www.whiteoakmuseum.com/

-Kyle M. Stetz

[Swag]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

Thanks for the info Mr. Stetz, I will have to plan a visit.

[NYCivilWar]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

Thanks for the info Mr. Stetz, I will have to plan a visit.

Just to re-emphasize my previous post, the White Oak Museum has just a remnant of a knit blouse, but it is still an example. From what I recall it was the bottom portion of the front of the coat, and it may have had a button on it, but that I am not completely sure of.

-Kyle M. Stetz

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

From the NJ ************ website:


Quote:
Despite the overwhelming number of knit blouses produced during the Civil War, to date, not a single reproduction has been made. By some completely bizarre metamorphasis, some sort of common law has evolved in living history, that one cannot make a reproduction without having ONE original to follow. Having been in this hobby since 1975, I have no idea who created this rule, but it is an approach that not only limits, but excludes research of industrial manufacture. The fabric for this coat, is produced by a family that has been in the knit goods business since 1890, and still retains the original looms. We embarked upon having this produced by drawing upon their family's knowlege, as well as presenting them with original photographs and documents to come with the most logical conclusion as to what the knit blouse looked like. Our yarn is custom spun and dyed, and is knit into a rib, which is what the blouses in the original photographs appear to be. While it would be a "slam dunk" to have an original issue blouse to follow, we honestly feel that based upon period construction and knit goods industry of the period, we are well in the ball park. As we will only have a limited quantity of the fabric product, this will be a subscription only when we do our production lot.

[PieBoy96]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

Hey Kyle,

Yeah it still has a button attached... that's how DP found the remnant with a metal detector. The piece is roughly 8" square, and although it's browned from being buried for years, you can still discern its weave and there is no doubt it's from a knit sack coat.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

Aw shucks, after draggin' my feet a while I guess I'll go ahead and post a scan of a ninth plate image I have in my collection of what is thought to be a knit sack coat. Note the exterior pocket low on the wearer's left side (reversed of course in the tintype format.) This image was published in my article on sack coats that appeared in the Company of Military Historians' journal "Military Collector and Historian".

Paul McKee

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

Well there goes my shot at being able to win the bid! Ha. Oh well.
Drew Gruber

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Knit Blouse Requisition

Paul, thanks for sharing that image. I've seen it once a long time ago but not in this detail. There's a few early war images showing members of the 7th NYSM wearing what are likely gray knit blouses similar to the one in your image. They have the trim at the edges, four buttons, fall-down collar, etc.. I'll try to post cropped images from the LoC tomorrow.