Interesting coats on these two gentlemen

[508preach]

My first thought at seeing these two gentlemen last night were that they might be Veterans Reserve Corps Jackets they are wearing. But then I dont remember VRC jackets being sack coats with wooden buttons. Then I thought they might be really faded sack coats, but if you look closely it appears that there is trim on the jackets.

So my question is, what the heck are they wearing.

(I circled the two individuals)

[lukegilly13]

Re: Interesting coats on these two gentlemen

They look similar to these jackets from the 86th OVI. Any idea who or when the folks in your image are?
I thought these were possible veterans corps jackets as well but in another thread, it was discovered that none of the folks pictured were ever in the VRC.

[CSchneider]

Re: Interesting coats on these two gentlemen

The "Tasting the Soup" photo. Likely an early war photo and possibly some sort of "camp blouse" thingie seen on several of the guys, in the opinion of a few folks. http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...t=tasting+soup

-Craig Schneider

[508preach]

Re: Interesting coats on these two gentlemen

Well the picture is on page 181 of the book "Eyewitness To The Civil War" and is a full page photograph. It is listed in their 1862 section of the book, but they posted the picture in reference to the opposite page about camp life so it could be from any point in the war but judging by the photo I would have to say it is an 1861-1862 era photo.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Interesting coats on these two gentlemen

They're gray knit wool sack coats. According to Troiani's "Regiments and Uniform" book, similar knit garments were donated to the 7th NYSM and nicknamed "Aspinwalls" after their donor.

Here's a close up from a portrait of Captain E. Clark of the 7th NYSM (click on the pop-up to see in high-res). Not only did this kid glove regiment have the knit sack coats, it appears that further stocks were donated to, issued to, or purchased by other early war units. On occasion they actually show up in late war images with other weirdo early war garments like seamless felt overcoats.

You can clearly see the rib-knit pattern of the cloth in this photo, as well as the narrow tape trim at the edges. The bottom of the sack coat should look familar to those of you who have ever owned a t-shirt that popped some stitches on the lower hem. Knit fabrics have the tendency to roll itself up.

If I can find them I'll post pictures of my own knit gray "Aspinwall" that made several years ago; trimmed with black tape, original Goodyear buttons, unlined, etc.. That was the most comfortable civilian garment I've ever worn.