Steubenville depot sack coats

[northernreb]

Can someone provide some background on the Steubenville depot produced sack coats? - John DeCaro

[Mark Choate]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

John,

You might have some success by contacting Todd Morris of Morris Clothiers.

http://www.morris-clothiers.com/sackcoat.html

regards,
Mark

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

John,

Steubenville was a small manufacturing facility that appears to have made (primarily) trousers and fatigue blouses using material from Philadelphia Arsenal. There's allegedly one surviving original Steubenville sack coat in a private collection somewhere in Texas but I have never seen photos or notes...still, it must be out there. The blouses have been consistently described as having no body lining but a sleeve lining, hand-felled body seams, and a uniquely shaped exterior patch pocket instead the of the typical interior pocket. According to a monthly statement of clothing reported on-hand dated July 1st, 1864, Steubenville had ready to issue 1,954 lined sack coats and 776 unlined sack coats.

Were the "lined" sack coats produced at Steubenville? If so, did they still have the exterior pocket that has defined this style of coat in the hobby? How many more were produced before or after this? Where were they issued? Lots of questions remain.

[poilu1917]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

I could be wrong, but I believe the Steubenville Depot was created with help/support from Sec. of War Stanton (Stanton spent most of his early life there). Steubenville, OH resides along the Ohio River which had a large river trade and in the 1850s it became a stop along the rail line heading west from Pittsburgh. Steubenville glass, cloth and iron products were very well known along the river trade routes of the period. There was also a Female Seminary and Latin Academy locate there that was considered the finest west of the Appalachian Mountains.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

I have in my possession photos of the one Steubenville sack coat from a private collection. The photos were sent to me when I was researching for an article on sack coats for Military Collector and Historian Magazine. The photos do confirm the presence of an exterior patch pocket, but I am not prepared to pronounce this a factory feature as I did not have the opportunity of examining the artifact in hand...although it seems plausible.

Paul McKee

[ScottCross]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

The Montgomery County Historical Society in Dayton may have a Steubenvill fatigue blouse. I can't find my notes on it and they would not allow me to use a flash, so none of my photographs turned out. You may want to contact the curator there.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

These are the photos I have of the one Steubenville blouse. It matches Brian's description of an unlined sack coat in the body with flat-felled seams yet lined sleeves. Being lined, the sleeve seams did not require felling.




Paul McKee

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

Scott, I'm heading back home to Cincinnati at some point in December and plan on heading to Dayton to visit Rick Carlile. I'll see about getting into the historical society to get some more photos and notes!

Paul, thank you for sharing the photos! The pocket definitely appears to have been added during construction if the color and stitch count of the thread compared to the top stitching is any indication. The size dots are interesting; look about the same as those used in some in-house produced clothing from Cincinnati.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

For those interested, here is a photo of a Steubenville blouse made by Dan Wambaugh...Christmas present a few years back. Pretty good for not having photos of the original on hand!

[CompanyWag]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

Scott,

Since you saw the one in Dayton, do the features match the one shown in my photos? Did you get to examine the interior? I have always been troubled that my photos show the only known example and I am reluctant to make broad conclusions based on only one example.

Brian,

If you are able to photograph the Dayton example, please share the photos. It would be very enlightening if both of these shared common traits.

Paul McKee

[CompanyWag]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

For those interested, here is a photo of a Steubenville blouse made by Dan Wambaugh...Christmas present a few years back. Pretty good for not having photos of the original on hand!

Brian,

Pretty darned close. The biggest difference I can see is the way the pocket opening facing on the original is turned to the outside and double topstitched.

Paul McKee

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

Paul,

Yes, and the length of the body and shape of the facing/upper margin is different. I'm still going to wear it somewhere, maybe if there's ever a mid or late war event in West Virginia or eastern Ohio!

I got in touch with the historical society in Dayton to see if they are able to have me for a visit. I also inquired about other original garments they have. Heck, I know the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus has a ton of stuff too...might make a two-day trip for it all. If I get any photos or notes I will definitely share them here.

[ScottCross]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

I have a memory like a Steel Sieve! Bill Brester and I stopped at Dayton to examine the coat over 12 years ago. I suspect that he has our notes, and I can rember little about it. It is identified to an Ohio soldier that later became a priest. Dan Schoeneberg was working there at the time.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

Paul,

Thank you very kindly for posting those pictures. I have wanted to get a good look at a Stuebenville blouse for fifteen years and that just made my week! Yes, the coat I made Brian is off in several areas, and we'll just call it an "artists misconception of history."

Thank you again for sharing!

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Steubenville depot sack coats

Hey Dan you can make me a new one!