NYS Jacket Issued to Other States

[FortySixthInft]

Hello everyone,

I'm doing some research on my ancestor's regiment, the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry. I came across a photograph of one of the men in his company wearing a New York State jacket. I've heard that some states received NY jackets (like the 71st PA), and I wondered if anyone had seen any documentation about when NYS jackets were issued to Pennsylvania regiments. I'm trying to figure out what uniforms my ancestor's regiment had when.



The man in the picture served from September of '61 until July of '65, so it could've been taken at any time during the war.

Thanks for any help. If this has already been discussed, my apologies. I did some searching around and couldn't find much.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: NYS Jacket Issued to Other States

Here's one example, from the 107th PVI after Antietam. I think they were brigaded with New York regiments.

Thomas, Mary Warner and Sauers, Richard A., eds. “I Never Again Want to Witness Such Sights” The Civil War Letters of First Lieutenant James B. Thomas, Adjutant 107th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Butternut and Blue, Baltimore, 1995.

October 19, 1862: "The boys have all received their new clothing, &c except blankets. They look so well I hardly knew them. Instead of giveing us dress coats or blouses we have the dark blue jacket. They are very handy and comfortable but makes us all look like a crowd of overgrown boys. It used to be boys wore men’s coats but men never wear boy’s jackets."

Different letter (October 23), regarding the same clothing issue: "We have received our new clothes and the boys look well – light blue pants N. York state jackets, good woollen shirts with pockets in, good blankets and overcoats – new knapsacks, canteen & haversacks."

G.O. No. 28 of March 22, 1862 established the price of the NY state jacket at $5.43, which considerably exceeded the cost of a sack coat at the time ($2.63 lined, $2.15 unlined), but came to a lot less than the uniform coat ($6.71) or, for that matter, a cavalry jacket ($6.48).

Just to illustrate how much I don't know, this is the only General Order I've seen giving the price of the New York state jacket, which makes me wonder whether it was made in the later years of the war.

Prices would go up in December, per G.O. 202.

[PanzerJager]

Re: NYS Jacket Issued to Other States

You may want to contact Matt White, he's on the forum here. I know he has done a lot for research on these coats being issued to Pennsylvania regiments and has some really good documentation.

Regards,

[ScottCross]

Re: NYS Jacket Issued to Other States

This subject has been discussed rather extensively. Try using the "Search Forums". See the link below for one example:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22277

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: NYS Jacket Issued to Other States

This appears in Washington, DC, in 1865.

[FortySixthInft]

Re: NYS Jacket Issued to Other States

This subject has been discussed rather extensively. Try using the "Search Forums". See the link below for one example:
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ad.php?t=22277

I did a search forum and found information about (like in the instance of the thread you have linked) other states, but nothing specifically about Pennsylvania, which is my primary interest.

Thank you for the information everyone. I found another picture of another man in the 46th reg't wearing a NYS jacket. He was killed at Gettysburg, so the jackets must have been issued prior to that point.

[estephenson]

Re: NYS Jacket Issued to Other States

Hello, this is the topic of a forthcoming article by Matt White in MC&H. In short, there were clothing shortages in the Union Army in the fall of 1862. So you will find satinette overcoats, black overcoats, jean cloth trousers and to replace frock coats for winter wear: NY Jackets. Not only PA troops were issued them that fall, but definitely Maine and possibly others.