Spaulding Jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

[SUVSCV]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

This museum, in central Illinois, doesn't know what they have, either. And, I think my enthusiasm scared them a little! But, until I can get a closer look at the uniform, I cannot supply any more info.

Stan Buckles

[ScottCross]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I have worked at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and now the Oshkosh Public Museum. I've done research in dozens of other institutions and I have never heard anything so ridiculous in all my years in the museum field. Not you Stan, I mean the little museum.

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

[CompanyWag]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Sounds like a variation on the "we don't allow photographs because we don't want people knowing what we have" scenario. If museums are that nervous about their security, maybe they should reconsider being open to the public in the first place. Kudos to those institutions that allow the free exchange of information with researchers and enthusiasts.

Paul McKee

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I haven't heard of that before except in the case of a small handful of private collectors.

To get off topic from the jacket...One thing I faced while attempting to schedule a research appointment at a historical society (which will go unnamed) was exorbitant fees and stipulations. This place had new management that promised to make the collection more accessible but apparently their definition of "accessible" meant a $125-per-hour fee, two staff members present in the room, plus the visitor had to pay the hourly wage of a security guard while he oversaw. The research session also had a 2-hour minimum. The final slap in the face was being told that I was not allowed to take photographs, measurements, or notes, and the garments could not be inspected by myself but handled only by the museum staff; further, clothing was not to be unbuttoned or examined inside, they could only be turned over. When I told them I was no longer interested they pressed me to show up claiming I had already scheduled an appointment. The staff was very combative and hard to talk to, and in the end I simply told them that I thought I was arranging to see a public collection in a museum but was obviously mistaken. I would have been all for giving a donation and having staff in the room (obviously) but everything else was outrageous.

[SUVSCV]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

The museum is run by some "nervous nellies" who have no idea how to handle historical items, nor keep a proper inventory, and that is why I think they are reluctant to boast too much. Otherwise, I have no idea. I, too, thought they would be exited (I sure was), and would want to share their treasures.
I hope to be able to view the uniform up close, sometime within the next 2-3 weeks. An acquaintance of mine, who is a volunteer there, said she would let me get the uniform out of the case. It is on loan from a private individual, who she does not know, personally. She is currently visiting relatives in Texas.
I was not able to examine the uniform too closely, and therefore I cannot say for certain that it's the real deal. It certainly appeared to have seen some use, as the collar was worn slightly, exposing some lighter color material underneath.
If the coat (and trousers) do appear to be authentic, I will attempt to find out who the loaner was, and establish who the uniform belonged to. I will also try to get some pictures.

Stan Buckles

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Cell phone teaser pics possible?

[SUVSCV]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I am the most electronically challenged person I know! But, I'll do what I can.

Stan Buckles

[Bill52]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I thought this might interest. Ransom Gardner of Detroit received a contract in August of 1861 to make 1000 uniforms for Illinois volunteers. He owned the Jonesville (Michigan) Woolen Factory which prewar had made gray satinette stripped cloth for prison uniforms. Gardner also made the Cadet gray cloth for the uniforms of the 4th Michigan Infantry. Gardner may not have had the ability to make the uniforms, and may have subcontracted with one of the Detroit uniform manufactures to make the uniforms with Gardner only providing the cloth.

William T. Carr

Company of Military Historians

[Mark Susnis]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Check out this Federal Soldier sporting dark blue trousers and a state jacket.



Regards,
Mark Susnis

[ScottCross]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

That is a nice sharp and clear image.

[csuniforms]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Nice pict... but without ID this soldier could be from any number of States.. Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio---

CSuniforms
Tom Arliskas

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

I'm gonna rehash this. What's the latest info about the jacket Stan? SA jacket/state/modified sack coat?...

[SUVSCV]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Mark et al,

Since my last posting, I have discovered that several items that I loaned to this museum have "gone missing." Hence, my relationship with them is not too great at this time (I am considering legal action). However, because I promised the pics, I will attempt to deliver. I don't think they would deny me too much at this point! I hope to get to the museum tomorrow, and if the jacket and trousers prove to be authentic, and I am able to get pictures, I will post them (hopefully) sometime this weekend.

Best Regards,

Stan Buckles

[SUVSCV]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Sorry pards, I was unable to get to the museum this week due to a myriad of interuptions that I won't bore you with. I'll try to get there this week (possible Wednesday or Thursday), and I hope the wait is worth it for all concerned.

Stan Buckles

[CompanyWag]

Re: Spaulding jacket/Illinois Infantry Jackets

Looking forward to seeing photos, Stan. Sorry to hear about the curatorial mismanagement of your items.