1864 Atlanta Campaign (20th Corp)

[robwall1861]

Can someone give a basic idea of what would have been worn for this campaign? I was talking with a fellow reenactor friend and was guessing sack coat, sky blues and slouch hat w/ white star for corp badge?

Would modified hardees be ok and were forage caps worn too? If pictures are available, that would be great?

Thanks in advance. ...

Sincerely,
Robert Wallace

[AndrewGrim]

Re: 1864 Atlanta Campaign (20th Corp)

You can't go wrong with a standard Federal impression. Depending on who and where there might be some civilian items. An example the 55th Ohio would be strictly fatigue blouse and forage cap before Resaca, After Colonel Charles Gambee was killed things relaxed more. As a side I have encountered a letter from a soldier who was assigned as an ambulance driver and was wearing civilian trowsers; he was writing home to borrow money for his fine as he was being returned to the 55th Ohio.
The real difference is the the 20th Corps were more drilled and were often considered bandbox soldiers.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: 1864 Atlanta Campaign (20th Corp)

Here's probably one of the more famous images of Federal soldiers in the aftermath of Atlanta:



These guys are XX Corps. Star on the hat of the soldier at the left. Standard western Fed, with the addition of a frock, and a pretty natty looking officer.

[robwall1861]

Re: 1864 Atlanta Campaign (20th Corp)

I see sacks, slouches and modified hardees....correct?

[Will Hickox]

Re: 1864 Atlanta Campaign (20th Corp)

I see sacks, slouches and modified hardees....correct?

Those may not be 20th Corps soldiers, though.

Primary sources indicate the 11th and 12th Corps troops (who were combined into the 20th Corps) contrasted greatly in their neat appearance with the westerners, at least initially. Whether this neatness lasted throughout the campaign is something I don't know about, but doubt. A photo in George Collins's history of the 149th New York shows the regiment in formation in front of an Atlanta mansion, wearing caps and sack coats, with some of the men (probably NCOs) in jackets.