Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

[mdougher]

Good morning Gentlemen.

Im trying to find pictures of CS issued blue gray(English army cloth) trousers. I have viewed and studied many of the pictures of the Petersburg dead which appear to show many of the men wearing them. I am looking for modern pictures of the original trousers, with providence preferably. If any of you have any pics you have taken and are willing to share, please do!!

Thank you

[rmilstead]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

Here you go. These trousers are currently on display with the Harrison Tait Jacket at the Maryland Historical Society. The acquisition records are a bit fuzzy but suggest that they came to the MDHS early in the 20th century with other textiles from the Maryland Confederate Soldier's Home when it closed. As the records are, however, somewhat confused so there is a slight possibility because of certain early alterations that they might be associated with Thomas Tolson of the 2nd Maryland Infantry whose RD III Jacket is also in the Society's collection. Further research is needed to further clarify the actual provenance. They are made of a Blue Gray Kersey that closely matches the material in the Tolson jacket and are archtypical of trousers provided through the Richmond Clothing Bureau operation.

Dick Milstead
The Company of Military Historians

[brown]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

I can only view these images relatively small, so this question may have an obvious answer to other views. Is this one of the pairs of bg trowsers with so-called bachelor buttons?

They have an amazing crease, too. Thanks for posting.

[rmilstead]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

Lindsey,
Bachelor buttons? Not sure what your reference is to. With respect to the creases, improper storage or done by a wayward dry cleaner at some point. Not original or intended. Unfortunately early curators at many institutions did similar things. One of the four known CS four button jackets has "CIVIL WAR" written in red ink in the lining by some previous owner or curator to make sure everybody knew it was from the Civil War. Today: unthinkable; but 100 years ago?

Dick Milstead

[mdougher]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

Thanks Dick,
Those trousers seem to be in incredible shape. I wonder how long he wore them?

[brown]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

A bachelor button is sometimes called a logger button. The button on most pairs of modern jeans is of this style. It is tacked through the fabric rather than sewn. There is at least one pair of kersey CS trowsers with the period version of these buttons, believed by some to be imported.

[rbruno]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

Lindsey, the buttons on the trousers are not what you described as a bachelor button. They are regular 4 hole buttons. I can't remember if they are bone or horn buttons. The top two are dark. The one really cool thing on these trouser, actually there are a couple, but the owner had the top button hole sewn shut and moved the button to the inside of what would normally be the button hole side and sewed a button hole on what normally is the button side so when buttoned, you can't see the top button. I believe this was more common on civilian trousers at the the time.

[rmilstead]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

Lindsey,
Actually quite the opposite. The waist buttons are one of the details that may possibly indicate that these trousers are part of the Tolson uniform. At some point during the pre acquisition period they were modified to close up the button hole in the waist band where they normally would be closed to essentually hide it and two hidden buttons introduced. Since the original button hole area and where the button would have been appears to be undamaged and the basic size of the trousers was unchanged by this alteration, the only reason for the change was that some owner (Tolson?) wanted to change them for stylistic reasons. There is no way to actually prove when this modification was done and certainly no way to verify that it was a war time modification. However, the trousers also have had boot reinforcement linings added to the helm area. These were definitely done after the pants were made by a professional (or at least very competent) tailor/seamstress and are made of osnaburg that very closely matches the material used in the lining of the trousers which I believe is war era. Why are these significant? Jensen discusses this in his landmark Company article on Comfederate Depot jackets: "2d Lt Thomas Tolson of the 2d Maryland Infantry wore a Type III jacket adorned only with his rank insignia on the collar. The lining in Tolson's uniform is most unusual, consisting of heavy gray blanket material. A clue to this feature was Tolson's diary entry for 10 February 1865: "Pay $100 to have my jacket and pants fixed in Petersburg. The weather wet and very cold." Otherwise Tolson's jacket is identical to the others." Not absolute proof that these are Tolson's trousers but an interesting coincidence. At least it can be said that the trousers did originally have the single button closure typical of Richmond Clothing Bureau product before being modified.

Mike,
Yes, they are in good shape. the photos shown probably make them look somewhat better that they actually are. The osnaburg lining is tattered and some areas of thread in the seams are letting loose indicating some wear. If Tolson's, which is only a speculation, he was captured in the two months after the journal entry above so they may not have seen extensive wear. Still a lot of research to do on these. By the way Fred Adolphus shows at least one other pair of BG Kersey trousers in his book on Tait Jackets so you may wish to check that out as well.

Dick Milstead
Company of Military Historians

[DougCooper]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?6641-Tait-Trousers&highlight=brunet

Thread on the subject from 2007. Rene Henry Brunet Jr was a Louisiana artillerymen (Fenner's Louisiana Battery) who likely wore this uniform home from the war.

There is another thread from 2004 here: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ot-TMD-Uniform

[mdougher]

Re: Blue Gray CS trouser pictures

Thank you very much for the information.