Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

[markj]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

Whatever these guys were wearing, they didn't wear it very much longer. A 10 June 1865 edict issued at Richmond effectively banned public wearing of the rebel uniform and any related "insignia."

See attachment below.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[North_State_Rambler]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

I'm having trouble seeing the diagnostic features in some of these images that would link the garments to the infamous "four button" style jacket. In the first image, I count what look like at least 5 button holes on the side of the jacket, as well as the shoulder straps. In my mind, there is plenty of room left in the dark sections of the jacket front to accommodate four more buttonholes to make it the "RD2" style. In the second image, I see seven buttonholes on the gent who is standing. In the third image, the collar looks like the wider civilian sack-coat style, and it seems like the collar and the top of the lapel are lying down in the pressed-down fashion of a sack coat rather than a turned-down standing collar as one would see if the soldier took the small-collared depot jacket and turned the collar and lapel down. The fourth image seems to match the diagnostic characteristics of the "four button" jacket the best. I would like to point out that these are, of course, collector designations rather than period designations, so not every style of jacket worn during the period can be reasonably lumped in under the collector-created categories. If I am seeing these images wrong, please correct me and I will get a new pair of glasses!

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

I intended only the last image to be an example of the four-button jacket.

[North_State_Rambler]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

Sorry, Brian, I mis-read your post.

[lukegilly13]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

Bob,
Thanks for posting that image...it made my day! Look at their feet....they look as if they've never worn shoes and don't mind it at all haha! Could this be the prerequisit to the "he-man-woman-haters club" (j/k)??? hahaha
Any speculation as to what the bottle and the rectangular frame is?

[OldState]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

Nice pics! Very suprised to see shoulder straps (epauletts) that late....and I believe in the last image that's a 4 button mystery generic....too bad we can't see if he has an external pocket. Thanks for posting!

There are actually several pictures of CS dead in the trenches showing jackets with epaulettes a week before Lee surrendered. I have not been able to find these pic on the LOC site. I would love to be able to that photo in a big tif file.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

Hi,

I think these are the pictures that you were talking about. Thanks


Andrew

[OldState]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

AND this one. There is a side photo of this guy as well where you can clearly see his "eagle" buttons on his heavy kersey RDII type coat. He also has his pants tucked into his socks which was thought to be the ultimate farbism when I was re-enacting actively in the 90's.

The guy in the picture you posted with the artillery sponge is actually wearing a Peter Tait coat. The photographer noted the red collar and maybe thought he was artillery thus posing him with the sponge.

[kaelin]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

from the original post of images by Brian....did anyone notice what looked to be a Botany Cross on the gentlemen in the first image standing to the left, I can't really make it out but it does have the shape of the Botany Cross worn by the Marylanders...anyone know for sure???

[Sgt Scotti]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

"did anyone notice what looked to be a Botany Cross on the gentlemen in the first image standing to the left..."

I believe you could be right. I saw the spacing between the crossed bars which made me think that too. But, like you, I cant say for sure. I also noticed what I thought too be a dark colored forage cap that the same gentleman is wearing. Or am I blind? Was interesting because I always thought that marylanders hated to wear anything "yankee blue." That was always what I had heard and read about when I belonged to the 2nd Maryland Co. H (C.S.A) starting out in this hobby.

[roundshot]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

That supposed "Botany Cross" is being worn by a Federal soldier and is, in fact, an 18th Army Corps badge.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

The rest of the soldiers in that group appear to be Federals milling about.

[kaelin]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

Thanks for clearing that up! Sure did look like the Botany cross. The hat was throwing me off though..not so much the jacket, as most of the jackets and trousers worn by the Marylanders were dark enough to be considered Feds.
Thanks pards and thanks for submitting the images Brian!

[DougCooper]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

There have been a number of threads here and elsewhere on these excellent photos and one thing is clear - these Rebs are well dressed, shod and hatted. They may or may not have been with the ANV at the very end, may have been captured in Richmond before the retreat or may even have been rear guard/supply types who weren't in combat. Looks to me like many of the uniforms are sturdy, perhaps kersey. Even more fascinating are the piles of blankets, haversacks, etc.

No ragged rebs here. That may be a uniform on the negro as well.

[OldState]

Re: Not a Whole Lot To Do - Richmond, 1865

There have been a number of threads here and elsewhere on these excellent photos and one thing is clear - these Rebs are well dressed, shod and hatted. They may or may not have been with the ANV at the very end, may have been captured in Richmond before the retreat or may even have been rear guard/supply types who weren't in combat. Looks to me like many of the uniforms are sturdy, perhaps kersey. Even more fascinating are the piles of blankets, haversacks, etc.

No ragged rebs here. That may be a uniform on the negro as well.

I have often thought about that. All of the pictures of CS dead from April 1865 show well clad soldiers in heavy wool jackets and pants. Vests and overcoats also seen. Yet, throughout the summer and fall of 1864 there are constant complaints from the men and officers, including Lee, about how "naked" and barefoot the soldiers are. Many soldiers were reported to be lacking pants all together. I have misplaced my O.R. on CD rom, but I remember seeing tremendous amounts of clothing being sent from the commisary, yet the complaints continued. Maybe it wasn't getting to the troops?
I know troops from NC and GA at the time were receiving clothing from their repective states and were a little better off than others. I am currently reading (listening on CD as I drive) "Lee's Army. From Victory to Collapse". The author cites letters from the commisary saying that from Jan. to March 1865 the army received more clothing than in any other time during the war. Maybe this, in combination to the large amount of soldiers absent from the army during this time lead to an 11th hour clothing largess. Too little too late. Rations were still only about 1/4 lb bacon and some corn meal a day.