CS Clothing at Antietam

[roundshot]

Gardner's famous death studies photographs of Starke's LA Brigade along the Hagerstown Pike provide an interesting look at CS uniforms during that period of the war. Attached are cameos of what APPEAR to be: an untrimmed "Richmond" pattern shell, a Federal fatigue blouse, a Federal overcoat, and a four button jacket or coat (not necessarily in that order). All are enlargements from the LOC files.

[ohiofed]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

I only wish he would have taken some shots from the other side of the fence, and other side of the road....

[wsurugby10]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

It seems like I'm always finding myself saying the same thing. If they would have only taken pictures from a different angle I would know so much more. But I guess we have to deal with what we've got. Very interesting pictures.


Dan Ketterman

[Resaca]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

I never noticed before but in the 2nd photo it appears to be chevrons on his sleeve (SGT?). Or is it just me? Must have seen them a million times...... Thanks Bob.

Tony Patton
Blue Ridge Mess

[Dignann]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

I never noticed before but in the 2nd photo it appears to be chevrons on his sleeve (SGT?). Or is it just me?

Looks like sergeant stripes to me.

Eric

[benjaminmcgee]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

The fellow with the shell jacket, is that an exit wound on his chest? Also, is it possible that some of the deceased are federal and the photo was mislabled?


Benjamin McGee

[reb290]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

The fellow with the shell jacket, is that an exit wound on his chest? Also, is it possible that some of the deceased are federal and the photo was mislabled?


Benjamin McGee

In the first photo it look's like a sack coat a little, but then again I could be wrong. The top of the jacket is light but the bottom is darker.(Shadow maybe or bloodstain?).

[Jerry Ross]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

Hey Fellas,
While I look at the photos to research, I can't help but think if one of them is a relative who did not make it back home from the war ? I just get the creeps, kind of like when I went metal detecting and thought about what do you do if you go across a shallow grave.
It is just ceepy to me.

[Prodical Reb]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

This is a bit off topic of clothing but what is that pile of light colored stuff in the 3rd photo Bob shows? This is a guess, is it broken hardtack dumped out of that fellows haversack that is laying on his arm, apparently emtpy. Also notice the knot tied in the sling of the haversack.



Ben, those aren't exit wound they are pockets that are turned out. Like somebody has searched the body for souveniers or personal effects to send to a loved one back home.

[Dignann]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

This close-up is from the plate entitled "Antietam, Maryland. Bodies of dead, Louisiana Regiment" (LC-B811- 567).

Is he a Reb or a Yank? Look at the coat. It certainly appears to be a federal four-button sack. Under real tight examination, I can almost believe the buttons on the coat to be large federal eagles. Also, the cap resting on the ground next to his left hand looks like a federal forage cap.

Note the cap resting on his head. It certainly looks like a kepi/forage cap with a darker colored band around the base. Perhaps one of the Louisiana style kepis with the black band (see attached photo below)? The way the cap rests on his head, I almost wonder if it was placed there after his death. It just seems out of place or staged.

Maybe he's a Reb in Yank clothing, or a Yank who fell along the Hagerstown Pike.

Eric

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

Notice what appears to be a federal forage cap laying off to the soldiers left hand.

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04
23rd Va. Vol. Regt.

[unclefrank]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

Were not alot of rebs utilizing Federal clothing during the campaign? Nice catch on the Louisiana style kepi. I think you pegged it.

[minieball]

Re: CS Clothing at Antietam

The gent with the sargeant chevrons appears to have a an RD or similar-cut commutation jacket. Note the shoulder strap on the left shoulder that visible - it may be a trick of the light but it appears to have tape trim. Can't quite make out the button thats visible on his jacket but it sure looks like a large eagle/letter button. The pocket on his breast that is turned out appears to me to be an inside pocket that has been cut open from the outside and rifled. I noticed on one of the other pictures of this group that a trowser pocket on one of the bodies has been definitely cut open and rifled.