AoT uniform question

[Chris Graham]

Hey,

I’m trying to assemble an impression for an Army of Tennessee soldier at the Battle of Bentonville.

I know quite a bit about NC and ANV uniforms but know nothing about AoT stuff. But here is what I’m looking for. After the Battle of Nashville, the army struggled back, eventually, to Tupelo. In mid-January, 1865, S.D. Lee’s and B.F. Cheatham’s Corps began a hasty but piecemeal march eastward toward South Carolina with Bueaguard to assist Hardee in blocking Sherman’s advance. I don’t know the exact route but they largely passed through Augusta, Georgia on their way. Denied their rendezvous point (Columbia) by Sherman’s quick advance, they headed through Charlotte, NC to Greensboro before marching eastward toward Bentonville.

On the return from Nashville, the Army was noted to have been quite ragged. It is quite common for armies to receive a large re-supply before and after campaigns. Did this happen at Tupelo? If so, from what quartermaster did it come from? If not, did the Army, or its parts receive uniforms on the march east? Perhaps from Augusta?

I’m looking for information primarily on jackets, pants, shirts, and hats/caps. Any other information regarding weapons and equipment would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks and Regards,

Christopher Graham

[Bob McDonald]

Re: AoT uniform question

Christopher:

The uniform of Pvt. Hugh Lawson Duncan, 39th GA, was almost assuredly issued to him after the AOT arrived in North Carolina. It consists of an Infantry-piped Peter Tait jacket, bearing all its original script "I" buttons, and NC-manufacture trousers. It is unknown whether he was issued the two garments together on the same day or on separate days, but both the jacket and trousers are in near-absolutely pristine condition. It is also evident that Duncan wore a pair of red braces, the heavy sweat-staining of the jacket lining displaying their pink impression.

Both the Tait jacket and the NC issue trousers are featured in EOG. At the time I acquired the uniform, in about 1989, it had just emerged from the family, along with a ca. spring 1862 enlistment ambrotype of Duncan wearing what was likely a GA state issue gray frock coat, trousers and soft hat. This photo also appears in EOG.

Finally, the Duncan jacket is identical with the Gouge Tait jacket, which is also well provenanced to have been issued to him at Greensboro.

I hope the above is of benefit.


Cheers,

Bob McDonald

[Chris Graham]

Re: AoT uniform question

Bob,

Thanks for the reply. You are the second person to clue me in the Tait jackets and trousers and that seems like a pretty good direction to consider going.

The follow-up I have is... Who was issuing Tait goods to AoT soldiers? (Recognizing that Lawton had rendered QM departmental boundaries moot by late 1864.) In December '64-Jan. '65, I believe, Wilmington was the only port open to imports. I know Lawton was sending blockade cloth as far as Columbus at this point, but was stuff getting out to Tupelo... a desperately far end of the logistics chain at this point. Or did these soldiers heading east receive Tait stuff on their way to North Carolina?

I know D.H. Hill, from Charlotte, send a telegram to the NC Quartermaster, requesting clothing for his division as it crossed the state line. Suggests to me that at least that portion of the army hadn't been re-uniformed yet. (It's an odd request and not one the NC QM would have honored in the past... and I've got no evidence to suggest it was actually honored.)

Anyhow... as for weapons and equipment? What rifle? Is Atlanta Arsenal leather gear ok? Knapsack?

Thanks again and I look forward to new replies.

Chris

[arsenal guard]

Re: AoT uniform question

Chris,

Something I will throw out there to gnaw on since I have an interest in the topic as well.

As you know, before Bentonville the lead elements of the AOT moved towards Kinston as reenforcement to Bragg's force opposing Cox's Federal's coming from New Berne.

I was walking the Wyse Fork Battlefield with Donny Taylor one Sunday, along the Confederate line on Southwest Creek and he told me the story of when he was a "much younger" man they discovered an abundance of Federal US Box Plates in one central area. The area was just north of where Hoke smashed Upham's Federal Bde routing the force and capturing a large number of Union men.

A possible suggestion was this was a temporary holding area for the the Union Prisoners prior to them being evacuated towards Kinston. The assumption being the cartridge boxes were used by the Confederates, along with other items. They just threw away the box plates.

I know your trying to focus on AOT and the lead elements of the AOT, Clayton's and Hill's Divisions arrived just in time to operate with or support Hoke's attack on 8 March.

So they very could have DX'd the old stuff or filled unit shortages with the plunder. What units benefited from this action, not sure. Hoke's Boys, the Jr. Reserves or the lead elements of the AOT I don't know yet. As I dig more into the journals and diaries of the Confederates who fought there I will definitely share it with you. They all left a few days later heading towards Bentonville.


Thanks for sharing the information on the uniforms.


Wade Sokolosky

[csuniforms]

Re: AoT uniform question-Cadet Gray Butternut Brown

Hello, From my research the AOT was issued clothing out of the Alabama Depot, Mississippi Depot and Columbia, Tennessee, as part of Taylor's refit. The 5th Tenn received new clothing, probably civilian in cut and cloth, from Henry County. The Tait jacket is interesting and is probable as Alabama was contracting for Tait uniforms. The NC pants are interesting. When and where they got those????

Tom Arliskas
CS Uniforms
Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown.

[arsenal guard]

Re: AoT uniform question

Tom,

I did a quick glance of AoT information I've researched for the Battle of Wyse Fork and found in the history of the 6th Mississippi Inf. the unit "received limited rations of food and clothing on January 9th" in Tupelo.

Appreciate you and others sharing the uniform information in your posts. This aspect of the Confederate forces, which participated in the Carolinas Campaign is one I am looking to learn more of. Thanks again.

Wade Sokolosky

[creed1939]

Re: AoT uniform question

I posted a very similar reply in another thread but after further research found that this one is more suitable.

58th NC were assigned to Palmer's Brigade, Stevenson's Division, Lee's (Hill) Corps. Within Stevenson's Division the 39th GA was assigned to Cummings Brigade also in Lee's Corps, during the battle of Bentonville NC. My focus is in regards to the two Peter Tait jackets attributed too; PVT Hugh Lawson, 39th GA and PVT Garrett Gouge, 58th NC, in Echos of Glory, Arms & Equipment of the Confederacy page 139.

It is interesting that two units within the same corps received jackets of the same type/maker so late in the war. I know that most confederate units in the battle were very small in numbers and regiments by name only with most being at a quarter to half of the strength needed. This could possibly be the cause that the same type of jacket was issued through out the Corps.

Also the two jackets are made by the same maker(Tait) but are slightly different in the collars. Which provides a theory that they could have drawn from the same depot or supply station but from two different lots or shipments at the same time.. Much like modern military uniform issue.

Through my research I have found the popular assumption is that the two jackets were drawn from stores in Greensboro. The 58th NC was assigned to guard textile mills after the battle of Bentonville around Greensboro prior to the surrender. One source for this theory can be found in : Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown by Thomas Arliskas page 87.

A shipment from Ireland was received at Wilmington NC in mid/late December 1864. I have not been able to find out what was in this shipment or exactly where it went from there.

Things I do know:
Johnson spent almost two weeks in late February 1865 in Charlotte NC prior to maneuvering on Sherman and eventually making it to Bentonville. In Charlotte Johnston officially took charge of the AOT, department of the Gulf, etc.

Which could have possibly lead the confederacy to re-supply the troops since the rest of the confederate forces were now being consolidated. Johnston following the army’s consolidation in Charlotte did he not have the opportunity to re-supply on a large scale. Being forced to move checking Sherman’s advance through North Carolina following orders to h.

My theory is that the AOT was re-supplied prior to the battle of Bentonville, some where around Charlotte. This could explain the NC trousers and the Tait Jackets. I understand that NC was reluctant to supply anyone else its own troops, but considering the conditions at the time. I could see uniforms being sent to the AOT by rail. This is based off the fact that NC had one of the most extensive rail networks in the south but was in a different gage making it difficult for travel outside of the state.

Does anyone else have any evidence to support the above theory? Also does anyone have any information of the re-supply the department of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia prior to linking up with the AOT?

[roundshot]

Re: AoT uniform question

Samuel Foster of Granbury's Texas Brigade wrote in his diary for 4/17/65: "Still in camp. Clothing issued today. No one knows what Genls Johnson & Sherman have done, yet suppose it is a surrender." On 4/18/65 he wrote further: "More clothing issued today, but still not enough." This was when the army was encamped around Red Cross, near New Salem, about 15 miles south of Greensboro. Five days later the army moved to near McLeansville Depot, just east of Greensboro on the railroad. There are a number of references to troops looting some of the supply trains after news of the surrender was out. Same for some supply warehouses in Greensboro. I've always thought the Gouge and Lawson Tait's to be drawn in the war's final weeks, post-Bentonville. Bear in mind, the State of NC maintained large warehouses in both Greensboro and Salisbury.

[roundshot]

Re: AoT uniform question

As an addendum to my post above for a detailed report of the supplies seized by Confederate soldiers at both McLeansville and the Greensboro Depot as well as issues to the troops at Redcross from stores acquired in Graham, NC see Gov. Zeb Vance's letter of 4/20/65 to General Johnston found in OR. Volume 47, Pt. III, p. 815. Issues from Greensboro alone include 4000 pair of pants and Graham over 6,000 pair. Also cloth, jackets, blankets, leather, etc. Lots of good info about those last days and the probable timing of the Greensboro tait jacket issues..

[creed1939]

Re: AoT uniform question

Bob,

Thanks for the reference to the letters!

With that, have you seen any letters referencing the movements in to and around Charlotte in February of 65. I have no doubt that they received a lot of Tait uniforms in April. How ever I am trying to find evidence if any exist that the AOT were re-suppled in Charlotte or prior to Bentonville.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: AoT uniform question

Chris,

In the chapter on North Carolina in "Confederate Industry" it clearly states that Zeb Vance was allowing for issuance of NC state contract goods to AoT units once that army came into his state. This was due to a number of factors including the surplus of uniforms the state then had on hand, the lack of transportation available to get those uniforms to NC units in the ANV, and the overall poor condition of the uniforms in the AoT at the time (even after they had emptied out depots in Northern deep south.) If you like I will dig and find the specific reference, but I assume they are the same as those Bob has brought to light.

Incidentally, I made a Gouge Tait jacket as a wedding gift for a friend of mine who wore it to Backwaters last year. Apparently a "hardkewl" took umbrage with his wearing a new jacket to the event and felt that he should instead be covered in muddy rags and ridiculed him openly. I suppose the lesson there is never let ignorance of a subject stop you from commenting on it, and especially making fun of others who might know more.


Best Regards,

[creed1939]

Re: AoT uniform question

Dan,

Thanks for the reference, I looked into it and have found only one source (so far) that Vance issued Longstreet Corps clothing, a quote from Vance's letter that is in the book Confederate Industry by Harold S. Wilson; "In the winter succeeding the battle of Chickamauga I sent to General Longstreet's corps 14,000 suits of clothing complete" (Dowd 490) it further states that most of the uniforms given to Longstreet were made in Salem by Francis Fries. The book goes on to describe on "December 12 1863, Lawton ordered Arelius F. Cone, of the Clothing Depot, to forward to Knoxville 4,000 trousers, 3,000 field jackets, 4,000 pairs of shoes, and other supplies to refit an additional two regiments"

So we do know that NC issued in select instances prior to 1865 out side its own units to include the Richmond Depot. However I have not found any reference (so far) that during the last months of the war (narrow it down to January-March) intentional issues were made from NC depots to the AOT. Note by that time the industry had been consolidated under the Confederate Government etc.

Is this the references you were referring to? I am quite interested in this subject as I can see the AOT, if issued during the last months starting to change its appearance during the last battles. Understand I am not trying to debunk already established research just attempting to prove a theory if the evidence exist. Wow your friends experience is unfortunate, but underlines the need to always keep an open mind and be willing to listen to the facts.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: AoT uniform question

Chris,

Excellent post. I'm having difficulty finding the passage I referenced, so it may ultimately be from another work. Sorry for the confusion, my mind isn't what it used to be. As a consolation, in my searching I did find a superb passage along the lines of your study on pages 101-102 of Entrepot by Lon Webster that outlines transfer of state purchased goods to Confederate authorities throughout the war. If you do not have a copy I can transcribe it here, but I assume with your area of interest the chapter on Wilmington alone would be well worth the money.

[roundshot]

Re: AoT uniform question

Attached is a copy of the letter (cited in my earlier post) from Zeb Vance concerning the seizure of state supplies by Confederate forces. Of interest is the fact that Vance notes that the debt for these supplies were contracted in Europe.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: AoT uniform question

Chris,

I'm avoiding starting work this snowy Monday morning so here is the passage I mentioned last night:

"The impressive contribution of the State of North Carolina made via the Advance and other vessels have been included herein to the extent possible. 'The enterprise of running the blockade and importing army supplies from abroad has proven a most complete success,' Governor Vance informed the state assembly in November 1863. Vance's statement was no exaggeration. On its eleven trips through the blockade, the Advance had brought in enormous amounts of military supplies on behalf of the State-cloth, shoes blankets, caps, uniforms, and socks, to name but a few of the primary articles. While Vance and the state government frequently resisted Confederate officials' attempts to buy up these stores, a large amount of goods were consistently transferred over to Major W. W. Peirce, Confederate quartermaster at Raleigh, for distribution by the central government. Overseeing a vast array of private contractors making knapsacks, tents, drums, canteens, shoes, and perhaps most importantly, cloth on central government account, Peirce also purchased supplies directly from the state adjutant general. Aside from importations, the domestic output of North Carolina factories and workshops was enormous. During the second quarter of 1862 alone, Peirce received from state authorities 5,520 coats, 23,630 jackets, 42,750 shirts, 30,200 pairs of pants, 34,800 pairs of shoes, 12,615 haversacks, 14,709 knapsacks, 16,003 canteens, and 25,571 caps and hats. The transfers continued throughout the war. A typical invoice dated October 31, 1863, reflects the receipt by Major Peirce of the following articles purchased from North Carolina: 5,304 jackets, 60,96 pairs of pants, 19,752 shirts, 4,416 pairs of drawers, 8,409 pairs of 'English Army shoes,' 3,402 heavy English blankets, and 5,684 pairs of socks. At the close of the war Vance estimated, again apparently without exaggeration, that the State had issued approximately 250,000 uniforms, 50,000 blankets, and 12,000 overcoats. Headquartered side-by-side in Raliegh's Orion Hotel from the spring of 1862 through the close of the war, North Carolina state quartermaster Major John Devereux and a host of other state officials worked in tandem with Peirce and other representatives of the Confederate Quartermaster and Ordnance Bureaus. The business conducted by the Bureaus at Raleigh was enormous. Peirce reported that his clerks were often required 'to be in at the 4:00 bell and are sometimes employed until 9 or 10 o'clock.' As most of the articles carried by the Advance were still State-owned when they arrived in port, Payne's Ledger Boo and the Memoranda Book Relating to Agents & Supplies record the receipt of but a few isolated articles from the vessel. Fortunately, at least some records of subsequent transfers of imported goods from the State to the central government have survived, and these are included herein. Whether provided to the central government or retained for State use, North Carolina's imports constituted a significant asset to the Confederate war effort."

"Entrepot", by C. L. Webster Pages 101-102


An excellent passage from an excellent book. And definitely changes the perception of Zeb Vance as a miser sitting on a mountain of uniforms and equipment that was intended only for North Carolina State Troops.