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I searched for this but did not find what I was looking for. What type of vest would be correct for an enlisted federal soldier? Does it have to be blue or can it be one sent from home? Thank you.
Nathan Collins
Nathanial Collins
1st New York Volunteer Engineer Regiment
Blue Grass Mess
Remember, Federal enlisted soldiers were not issued vests, so all would have to be privately purchased or sent from home. If you take a bit of time and scan the Library of Congress Civil War Photo collection here: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cwp/ you'll see many examples of Federal soldiers wearing vests. In my own personal observations, the overwhelming number of Federal enlistedmen wearing vests appear to wearing a military style vest. That is-- presumably dark or sky blue wool with brass buttons. There were probably some civilian style vests worn, but the photographic evidence-- at any rate-- seems to show many military-style vests for enlisted men. When you get into photos of clerks, or the often used Trimming Shop photo, you'll see more civilian style vests.
Here are some examples:
[Fort Burnham, Va. (the former Confederate Fort Harrison). Federal soldiers in front of bomb-proof headquarters
Quartermaster's mechanics, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps in front of Petersburg, Va., August, 1864
Few vests in this one, some military-style and another civilian style
"I think the prospect for an active and laborious campaign in Virginia is pretty clear and we will again this spring renew our old occupation and struggle between life and death for six more weary months." Capt. Samuel S. Brooke 47th Va. Infantry-- March 27, 1864
Mike McGee
Cure All Mess ~ Hard Case Boys
Co A, 4th Tennessee Infantry Regiment "The Shelby Greys"
Co C, 25th Regiment, Indiana Infantry
Pvt. Francis "Frank" Agee- G, G, G-Uncle
Co H, 22nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment
KIA Battle of Shiloh-April 6, 1862
Resting in Peace on that Hallowed Ground
Boy, try to get away with chevrons sewn to the breast now.
Mike McGee
Cure All Mess ~ Hard Case Boys
Co A, 4th Tennessee Infantry Regiment "The Shelby Greys"
Co C, 25th Regiment, Indiana Infantry
Pvt. Francis "Frank" Agee- G, G, G-Uncle
Co H, 22nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment
KIA Battle of Shiloh-April 6, 1862
Resting in Peace on that Hallowed Ground
Any idea how long vests lasted before they were worn out? I am working on the 4th Michigan Infantry who were issued gray vests as part of their State issued gray uniforms. Although the gray uniforms wore out quickly and were replaced, I was wondering if the gray vests were discarded at the same time as the gray roundabouts and gray trousers. Because they had not been issued overcoats they may have needed the vests for warmth. I do know that they continued to wear their gray caps for a short time. Thank you for your consideration of this question.
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