Black Epaulets

[bmbeeman]

I've seen several period photos of confederate soldiers wearing sack coats with black epaulets (including one Florida soldiers) and I was wondering what they represent (because I'm thinking of adding a set to my sack coat if it is historically accurate to do so.)

[johnnyreb43nc]

Re: Black Epaulets

hello pard

NC troops wore sack coats with black sewn down strips of cloth on the shoulders. these were NC sack coats(early war).
i know that Floridas troops were in North Carolina in 1864 and 1865.
Florida regiments were made up into the Florida Brigade after Chickamauga and sent to NC.
They surrendered at Bentonville.
I have not done a lot of research on this subject but it is most likely at this stage of the war they would have had NC Depot Jackets rather than early war sack coats.

best regards
Cpl Jason Tailford
43rd NC Infantry co b uk
7th Florida Infantry co b

[roundshot]

Re: Black Epaulets

After Chickamauga? Nope.The gallant Florida Brigade fought with the Confederate Army of Tennessee in Georgia and Tennessee during 1864 and its remnants were not sent to NC until 1865 (along with most of the rest of the AOT). As such, its clothing was likely the same as worn by their AOT bretheren.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Black Epaulets

Mr. Beeman, please let us know which books you've already looked at in search of your question's answer, so folks can be helpful and point you toward research you've not yet seen.

If you concentrate on researching the units or regions you normally portray, you'll be able to find out fairly quickly if a certain uniform feature is common for the unit/region/dates.

[Bummer]

Re: Black Epaulets

One thing I might caution you about, and that is that in original photographs what appears to be black (or very dark) is in fact a bright light color--particularly yellow. A case in point is the well known later war photo is John Mosby in his shell jacket--the photo shows black (or very dark) trim when in fact that the jacket--which is still extant--has bright cavalry yellow trim.
Just a thought that should be considered.

[Marc]

Re: Black Epaulets

Very much correct in that lighter colors photographed darker using the period equipment, chemicals etc.

A few years back there was an article I believe in the Citizens Companion when Susan Hughes was still editing and producing the fine magazine. Basically using period equipment a person photographed period clothing and the photos had the yellows looking black etc.

It was an article about they did wear bright colors and the period photos did not correctly show these colors.