Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

[Rebel Yell1863]

Pards, I saw in another thread here on AC where it stated that the specifications to make the Alabama commutation jackets were printed in an Alabama newspaper. I'm guessing that it would be early in the war. Does anyone know what newspaper or where I can find a reference to this? I've searched Vicki Betts resource of newspapers with the keyword "Commutation Jacket" with no results. I am having a jacket made with the seven button front, but I wanted to see if there were any other details that should be added before construction is commenced.:D

[LWhite64]

Re: Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

I have a copy of it somewhere, I will have to see if I can dig it up. Note though that there is a surviving original worn by a soldier in the 6th ALA and there are also several images of them. The 6th Ala one is made of cassimere made from the Eagle Mills in Columbus, Ga.

Lee

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

Thanks Lee, the info would be greatly appreciated!

[DougCooper]

Re: Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

I have a copy of it somewhere, I will have to see if I can dig it up. Note though that there is a surviving original worn by a soldier in the 6th ALA and there are also several images of them. The 6th Ala one is made of cassimere made from the Eagle Mills in Columbus, Ga.

Lee

Contact Becky Nall at www.cottoncity.com. She and Tom have a trove of info on the Murphree jacket, and other Alabama specific garments. She also posted much of it on here pre-crash.

[lks312]

Re: Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

Derrick,

One of my sources states that on August 31, 1861 in the MONTGOMERY WEEKLY ADVERTISER the Alabama Quartermaster General Duff Green,
gave a description of the uniforms that were to be made for Alabama troops.
This included single breasted seven button jackets with a standing collar and shoulder straps buttoning at the collar. Belt loops were also to be sewn to the bottom of the jackets over the side seems and a pocket was to be sewn inside the left breast. Samples of this uniform were to be sent to the various Ladies Aid societies making up uniforms for the Alabama troops.
A good number of photos exist showing Alabama troops in such jackets. At times, some historians mistake the jackets shown in those photos for Richmond Depot II jackets as they were similar in appearence. Interestingly,
these Alabama "commutation jackets", though following the general pattern often were made with slight differences such as pockets on the exterior and no belt loops. Hope this helps.

Larry Shields

[DougCooper]

Re: Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

Well unfortunately the great Murphree jacket thread of 2005 is gone, but here is another: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...light=murphree

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

Thanks, Larry and Doug. :D

[Tom Ezell]

Re: Alabama Commutation Jacket Spec's

The Murphree jacket is described in some detail (with pictures, and comparison to the Cotton City repro) in one of the 1999 or 2000 issues of The Watchdog... Charlie McCullough did the research and wrote the article.