Berdan's Bugles

[Michigander]

Hello Gentlemen;

are there any Berdan's buglers out there? I am trying to complete a bugle that I recently obtained to complete a USSS Bugler's outfit. What I would like to know is if anyone has any idea what color Bugle Cords where used by these men, and how they (or you) have wrapped your cords? I have done a search of this forum, other links, and have searched all of my reference books on USSS. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Richard Jones
Flagstaff, AZ :D

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Berdan's Bugles

Richard,

My mess specializes in USSS impressions and also research. Give me an e-mail or a private message on the forum and I can help you out.

At least in late 1861 the bugle cords issued were green, but I do not know about the color when the Shapshooters were in the field. Here at work I am unable to get the proper citation for that bit of info, so you'll have to get with me off the forum so I can cite the source propery.

brianwhite@cicni.rr.com

Brian White

[RJSamp]

Re: Berdan's Bugles

Bill Skillmans is in Michigan.
David Fulcher is in Marietta (North HotLanta).

Am sure there are a few others around.

1, There is a picture of Berdan's at Guard Mount in front of a big white house with a picket fence. The bugler is wearing a musican's sword. and the cord is the same 'shade' as his coat. Not that tells you much (could be blue, black, etc.).

2. Don't get so hung up over this. Grab some leather straps and attach them to your bugle. Sling it over your shoulder, grab your rifle and go. Hemp rope, cotton cord in a dull color, wool cord ......

3. I find that wrapping a bugle is a royal pain....gets wet and dirty fast, tends to burn when you warm up a bugle over the fire on a cold day, and a fresh pair of wool socks is preferable to 22' of wool cordage after a long march......

But have seen enough variations to say that just about anything goes.

Take a look at young Gustav Schurmann page 241 Echoes of Glory US, top of page. Nice simple shoulder strap made of loop braided YELLOW cordage....clove hitch to the bell, and to the receiver...throw the horn over your shoulder and off yougo. Gustav was the Corps Bugler for Dan Sickles at Gettysburg, and road a horse.

RJ Samp

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Berdan's Bugles

Here is that info I promised. It's from the Don Troiani series, "Uniforms of the American Civil War 1861-1865" and the information accompanying the print was written by Earl J. Coates. The following is a list of articles sent to Washington for distribution in November 1861.

1000 prs. Sky blue trousers,
1600 prs. Leggins,
1100 Ostrich feathers,
1000 Privts. Green trousers
32 Sgts Green chevrons
2 Sergt. Maj. Green chevrons,
2 Q.M. Sergt Chevrons Green,
2 Commy. Sergt. Chevrons Green
32 Green cords & tassels for bugles’
400 Gt Coats, seamless, green trimmings,
500 Knapsacks, similar to those furnished to this corps

Documentation for post-November 1861, but I think with all the service they saw on the Peninsula the following spring the tassels and cords wore out. I have yet to see those being issued a single time following this one.

Brian White

[Michigander]

Re: Berdan's Bugles

Here is that info I promised. It's from the Don Troiani series, "Uniforms of the American Civil War 1861-1865" and the information accompanying the print was written by Earl J. Coates. The following is a list of articles sent to Washington for distribution in November 1861.

1000 prs. Sky blue trousers,
1600 prs. Leggins,
1100 Ostrich feathers,
1000 Privts. Green trousers
32 Sgts Green chevrons
2 Sergt. Maj. Green chevrons,
2 Q.M. Sergt Chevrons Green,
2 Commy. Sergt. Chevrons Green
32 Green cords & tassels for bugles’
400 Gt Coats, seamless, green trimmings,
500 Knapsacks, similar to those furnished to this corps

Documentation for post-November 1861, but I think with all the service they saw on the Peninsula the following spring the tassels and cords wore out. I have yet to see those being issued a single time following this one.

Brian White

Gentlemen;

Thank you both for your responses. I will probably do a combination of what you both have sugested. I thank you for the reference sources as well.
Richard Jones
Flagstaff, AZ :)