Union soldiers using Confederate/Civilian Gear

[Latigerreb]

Saw a past post on the use of Union gear in Confederate ranks. Am wondering is there a time when Union soldiers might use Confederate/Civilian gear in their ranks. Am think perhaps when on a long campaign, such as Sherman's March.

Found an article on the 33rd Wisconsin. They appear to have been fully outfitted with Union gear prior to going on the Meridian Campaign (Feb and March 1864). Then were transferred to the Red River Campaign (March to May, 1864), apparently not being resupplied. The article states: "" The uniforms of the men, already worn from the Meridian campaign, were subjected to additional stress from the forced marches that comprised the second half of the Red River Campaign. It is most reasonable to conclude that uniform shortages prompted the men to refit themselves where and when they could, or go without. Given the large amount of foraging and looting allegedly committed by "Smith's Guerrillas" as they covered the withdrawal of Bank's army from Red River, it is doubtful that the soldiers opted to "go without". ""

Been trying to find other sources, but not able to. So, would Union soldiers utilize what might be at hand, again, during a long/hard campaign? Seems to be they might, if far enough away from a supply depot or insufficient supplies were carried on the campaign supply wagons.

Thanks for any direction.

JIM Tebbetts

[Charles Kaiser]

Re: Union soldiers using Confederate/Civilian Gear

From the CRRC 2:
126th New York Infantry, Corporal Andrew Chesnut:

I wish you could see me with a Rebel shirt on. It looks gay and Festive. I captured it in thr first skirmish we had... I had to throw my old one away it was inhabited by an Inferior Race of Beings, an I would not associate with them longer.

I think a rare thing, that only happens, if you are forced to replace worn out things on campaign, when nothing other is availible.

[David Fox]

Re: Union soldiers using Confederate/Civilian Gear

Union soldiers came away from Gettysburg armed with some Richmond rifle-muskets which had been newly issued to Lee's Army before the campaign. They also used .69 calibre smoothbores to repell Picket's Charge, the weapons having been dropped by Rebels on the 2nd day. Will look for the citations, tho' it appears in several books on the battle.

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

Re: Union soldiers using Confederate/Civilian Gear

I also remember the story of a Gettysburg woman who saw on a Confederate the haversack that she had made for her husband. She had been wondering about her husband up to that point and asked the commanding officer is she could have it back. The officer complied.

We have here a case of a Federal soldier using a civilian article, one that was easily recognizable, while on campaign.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Union soldiers using Confederate/Civilian Gear

However, this all falls into the: "Possible? Yes. Probable? No." category of stuff & things. We can find all kinds of weird stuff going on if you look deep enough. Sorry, but the hackles of my "spidey-sense" are starting to rise, based on years and years of seeing mainstream johnnies buy a Federal sack coat and calling it "good enuf" for doing Federal with the excuse of ______________ . (fill in the blank)
It's like Federal trouser usage by CS troops, it seems to fall within certain specific scenarios, it's time and place specific, etc. While it merits research, certainly, I would highly discourage anyone from adding CS clothing or gear to a Federal impression unless you are doing a scenario or portraying a specific incident that calls for it.

That's my two kopecks.

[Seamus]

Re: Union soldiers using Confederate/Civilian Gear

RE: Mr. Fox's comment-

At Gettysburg, July 2nd-
Major Bodine of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania sent his men out with a specific purpose in mind. "We were armed with the Austrian rifle of an inferior quality and I desired to change them for Springfield rifles... without the red tape processes... The brigade we opposed [Lang's Floridians] were all armed with the Springfield rifles. Many of them had gone through the renovating process, and bore the Richmond C.S. stamp."