Sack Coat or Shell Jacket??

[SavageReb]

I am in a MID War WESTERN Theater Artillery Unit. Which was more prevelant? The Shell Jacket or Sack Coat? In our unit, none of our uniforms are the same. The ONLY requirement that we really have is NO RED trim on the Jackets, Unless Officer or NCO. Any Opnions???
Joey Savage,
Huwald's Battery
Tennessee Mountain Howitzers

[NYCivilWar]

Re: Sack Coat or Shell Jacket??

You might first try and look at the records of the unit you are portraying to see what they were actually issued.

-Kyle M. Stetz

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Sack Coat or Shell Jacket??

Try checking out some mid-war images of units in the field.

[JimConley]

Re: Sack Coat or Shell Jacket??

Joey,
Here's a link to an article that examines, in detail, an original artillery image. Short, but very very informative: http://www.southernguard.org/artyphoto1.html

Also, check out the Library of Congress' Selected Civil War Photographs. If you enter 'artillery' as the search keyword, that alone will pull up 100 photos. I usually like to experiment with words and phrases for searching that collection because there's always that one image you're looking for buried in there somewhere.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/cwphome.html

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Sack Coat or Shell Jacket??

Hallo!

Moderator hat on...

Herr Joey, welcome to the AC Forum.

That which is most prevalent is that which is researched and documented to the unit, time, and place being portrayed.

As a general observation, outside of that which is researched and documented to the unit, time, and place being portrayed- one will often find that jackets are "overly represented" to the point of universality in some segments of the CW Community. Gray and blue uniforms trimmed in red, brass "crossed cannons" devices, red hat cords on slouch hats, two foot long red ostritch plumes, red elastic suspenders, etc., etc., NUG, are associated with lads who are more Newcomers, and events outside of those supported by the AC Forum.

As a result, when postings and discussions stray into that realm, and outside of a historical context, they can be viewed as Flame Bait, and as Flame Bait they generate complaints.

We are already onto thin ice, so everyone please continue to keep the discussion "historical."

Curt

[Cameron]

Re: Sack Coat or Shell Jacket??

Joey
Are Bob White and Mike Corley still active in Huwalds if you can reach them they can be of help, I know. I sent you a pm, as well.