Spaulding Jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

[ScottCross]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I really hate it when sellers on eBay use a digital camera instead of a scanner! It looks like a VERY interesting image (from what I can tell from their crappy imges).
I love the paper mat (which, by the way, is original to the image: fairly common practice in the mid 1860s), and I've never seen one with the photographers mark on the front like that. George W. Sittler is listed in the 1870 US Census as an "Artist-Photo", living in Shelbyville, age 25 (he was still at home and only 15 in 1860).

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Could be an 8-button. Might be a pocket on front but I may just be wishing it there. I like how the cart. strap is run under the loop. Also noticed the rounded bottom of the coat front. (Excuse my poor nomenclature.)

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Here is another recent eBay soldier, Sgt. William Willet, Co. E 36th Illinois. Willet was a resident of Bristol, IL, who enlisted on August 1st, 1861, as a corporal. He was promoted on sergeant on an unknown date and was killed in action on September 20th, 1863, at Chickamauga.

The image here was (stupidly) cropped (by me) from a larger portrait of he and his wife.

[Mark Susnis]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Here's a link to a 45th IL Soldier Ephraim Graham from Company B "Leadville Regiment"

We welcome your bids on this original ambrotype of soldier, Ephraim Graham. Graham, (b. 1843 - d. 1865) was in the Co. B. 45th Illinois Infantry called the "Lead Mine Regiment." In this antique ambrotype, he is standing with his arms at his side holding his gun. He is dressed in his army fatigues and has a very stern face. Included with this ambrotype are several copied documenets chronicling the life and family ancestry of this young man who died at only 22 years old. Ironically, he passed away only two weeks after returning from the war in an accident with run-away horses.

http://cgi.ebay.com/IDENTIFIED-CIVIL-WAR-SOLDIER-AMBROTYPE-UNION-CASE-64-/170514669524?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item27b3775fd4

Regards,
Mark Susnis

[Ian M.]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Is that an M1841 Mississippi Rifle there?

[Mississippian]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Looks like an Enfield Rifle to me.

Will MacDonald

[ScottCross]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

This image appears to be right as rain. Note that his jacket only has eight buttons, or that the spacing is for eight.
According to Ken Baumann's excellant book, Arming the Suckers. the 45th Illinois was armed almost exclusively with Enfield Rifles with Saber Bayonets. They began replacing them in the 2nd quarter of 1863 and would be totally replaced by the 4th quarter of 1863.
Thanks to Mark for posting this. Wonderful IDed image!

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: 45th Illinois Infantry

I've seen, somewhere, a published photo of Federals in two ranks outside the Vicksburg Courthouse. They look similar to that fellow in the 45th (jackets, short arms with long bayos) and according to legend, the 45th was one of the first, if not the first into the city after the surrender. And also reportedly the first to fly their color from the courthouse.

Just saying...

[SUVSCV]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I know this is an old thread, but I came across a jacket at a small-town museum in central Illinois that is attributed to a soldier in the 7th Illinois Infantry. It has a nine button front, no epaulets, no cuff buttons, no trim, no outside pockets, and no belt loops. The "skirt" at the bottom of the coat has a rounded, rather than square cut. The buttons are regular mid-sized U.S., and are marked "Waterbury." In addition, there was a pair of "mule-eared" kersy blue trousers with the coat, that appear to be authentic. When I get the time, I hope to get a closer inspection of the items, and possibly photograph them.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Is this the museum in Utica, Illinois? If so, I've seen this jacket years ago. I believe it is a private purchase jacket of officer quality. The faint trace of chevrons removed long ago can be seen. Scott Cross has had the opportunity to examine this one out of the case. I recall Scott and I had different opinions whether this was made as a jacket or was cut down from a frock coat. Scott strongly believes it always was a jacket. I will have to defer to his opinion as I have not examined it out of the case myself.

Perhaps my pard can chime in here.

Paul McKee

[ScottCross]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Frank H. Whipple was born on July 7, 1836 at Putnam, Washington County, Ohio, the son of Phoebe and Warner Whipple. He was farming with his father in LaSalle County, Illinois when he enlisted as a private in Company H, 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He rose through the ranks to sergeant in Company H, and was promoted to Sergeant Major on January 22, 1864. During the Yazoo River Expedition, Whipple was struck in the head by a musket ball during a skirmish at Liverpool Heights, Mississippi on February 4, 1864. He reenlisted as a veteran and was transferred on July 14, 1865 to the 46th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but the records from the 46th Illinois state that he was discharged on July 8th. Following the war he was a bachelor farmer in Waltham Township in LaSalle County for many years. He then married Charlotte J. Fairfield in 1893 and raised a family. He died there on October 11, 1919.

His infantry jacket is on display at the LaSalle County Historical Society Museum in Utica. It is a private purchase jacket, not state issue. It is not a Uniform Coat that has been cut down, which some have suggested. It is VERY fine quality jacket and I was allowed to examine it in detail and take measurements and sketches. The great-grandson also gave me a copy image of the owner wearing it. The image shows Whipple wearing sergeant’s chevrons, which would date the image prior to his promotion in 1864. The body of the coat is constructed of six pieces in the body and two pieces in the sleeve. The sleeves and waist are top stitched. All sewing was done with black silk thread. The material is dark blue satinette while the body lining is black polished cotton with inticate stitching in the quilting. The sleeves are lined with white cotton duck. The breast of the jacket is padded and quilted as seen in officers’ uniform coats. The collar stands one inch high. The nine button front has eight officers’ eagle “I” buttons and one staff officers’ button at the top. The non-functioning cuffs have three small eagle “I” buttons. There is evidence on the sleeve showing where sergeant’s chevrons had been sewn directly onto the jacket. According to his grandson, the chevrons were still on the jacket when it was donated.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/album.php?albumid=472&attachmentid=22385

[CompanyWag]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I knew I could conjure you up in this thread, Pard.

It sounds like the jacket the unamed poster describes may be a different jacket (IE: no cuff buttons, general service buttons on the front, etc). Hopefully he can provide more details and/or photos.

Paul McKee

[Ian M.]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I know this is an old thread, but I came across a jacket at a small-town museum in central Illinois that is attributed to a soldier in the 7th Illinois Infantry. It has a nine button front, no epaulets, no cuff buttons, no trim, no outside pockets, and no belt loops. The "skirt" at the bottom of the coat has a rounded, rather than square cut. The buttons are regular mid-sized U.S., and are marked "Waterbury." In addition, there was a pair of "mule-eared" kersy blue trousers with the coat, that appear to be authentic. When I get the time, I hope to get a closer inspection of the items, and possibly photograph them.

Was the type of fabric on this jacket evident?

[SUVSCV]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Sorry pards, I've been out west for a few weeks, and just returned. Not being well versed in uniform fabrics, I cannot honestly answer your question. Now that I'm back, I hope to bribe one of the volunteers into allowing me to photograph as much of the uniform as I can. It is currently in a case, and stuffed with, what appears to be, tissue paper. Staff at the museum requested that I not reveal the location of the museum for fear that the coat may be stolen! I told them that they would certainly attract more interest, which I thought would be good for the museum!

Stan Buckles

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Interesting. The museum (the one in the western Chicagoland) never knew what they had until Riley Ewen, my brother and myself told them what they had. I've been in touch with them since the "discovery" and they granted us three access with Brian White and Dan Wambaugh (who confirmed that it was in fact the holy grail). Several other prominent researchers, as well as WW and Co have documented, photographed, and reproduced the jacket so far that unless there's something groundbreaking, there's really no reason to re-examine it. Check on their website for jacket info, and they'll probably chime in here.