US sack coat field modifications

[billmatt04]

Gentlemen,
I used the "search" mode but did not really find anything that will help me in my newest quest for information. Was it a practice at all for Federal soldiers to cut the lining from their sack coats to keep from getting too hot? I know that there were unlined versions of these blouses, but I can't help but think that some men took the liberty of removing the lining from their blouces in hot weather, especially down south. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cassady
Pvt. 104th Illinois Vol. Inf.

[fairweather reenactor]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

Gentlemen,
I used the "search" mode but did not really find anything that will help me in my newest quest for information. Was it a practice at all for Federal soldiers to cut the lining from their sack coats to keep from getting too hot? I know that there were unlined versions of these blouses, but I can't help but think that some men took the liberty of removing the lining from their blouces in hot weather, especially down south. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cassady
Pvt. 104th Illinois Vol. Inf.

Your inquiry sounds like something a "streamer" would like to rationalize. It kinda falls in line with "if they had it, they would have used it" sort of questioning.
People of that time were accustomed to wearing layered clothing, even in the heat of a Georgia summer. Yes, there are photos of soldiers and civilians in just shirt sleeves. And thats just what they did if they got too hot...took their darn coats off and/or rolled up their sleeves!
If they had cut out the lining of their coats it would probably be to wrap a wound or use it as "paper" for the privy/sink. It does get cold at night, even in the dog days of summer, so they would want some extra cover, especially if they had no blanket or groundcloth.

Jason Whitman
Back alley amuser with no affiliation mess

[JimConley]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

This is a quote from the book, Hard Tack and Coffee:
"It is growing warmer...The road is evidently clear of all obstructions, but the heat and speed begin to tell on the men. Look at the ground which that brigade has just vacated after its breif halt for rest. It is strewn with blankets, overcoats, dresscoats, pantaloons, shirts-in fact, a little of of everything from the outfit of the common soldier."
Friend,
The book goes on as such speaking of the fatigue of these men during the Wilderness campaign of 1864. It states no actual notation of the practice in question (cutting of lining), and there may be good reason for that. The way the author, John Billings, a veteran of the Army of the Potomac, expressed in this particular excerpt, the extreme fatigue and wear of the federals on the march. In fact, the way he makes it sound, they were happy to bed down for the night and gather what rest they could. Not to say that linings were not discarded, but it seems as though the trouble it would take would be out of the question while on campaign. In know this does not directly assess your query, but that's the best I can do with limited materials by my bedside.

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

"People of that time were accustomed to wearing layered clothing, even in the heat of a Georgia summer. Yes, there are photos of soldiers and civilians in just shirt sleeves. And thats just what they did if they got too hot...took their darn coats off and/or rolled up their sleeves!"

Actually, civilians were not limited to wearing what they were issued like the military was. For summer wear unlined linen or cotton frocks, paletot, and sacks were common as were lightweight vests with removable padding. These allowed men to maintain the proper decorum and not overheat. It is true that there are photographs of civilians in their shirt sleeves and I don't think it was that uncommon a practice, but I summize that it was not considered the classiest thing to do when you had other options. Generally, those "shirt sleeve" photographs are occupational in nature.

That said, I have yet to find references to soldiers removing the lining of their fatigue blouses. If it was done it has eluded my research.

[hardtack1864]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

[i]

That said, I have yet to find references to soldiers removing the lining of their fatigue blouses. If it was done it has eluded my research.

Check the CRRC, there is ONE quote out of a letter or such talking about a fed taking out the lining of his sack coat and then used the lining to clean his weapon.

[KentuckyReb]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

I don't know...just spitballin' here, but would a private be running the risk of getting his a__ in a crack if one of his sergeants caught him tearing up his issue clothing? Sort of a 'that's the way the Army gave it to you, that's the way they want you to have it' kind of thing?

[markmason]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

Apparently solid documentation eludes us on this subject. As Living Historians, and the documentation freaks that we are, will guide our actions. Having said this, do you think ALL actions were documented? Would you pen a remark into you diary when you mended a button? My point being this, IF you think your troubles from the heat stems from the lining of your fatigue blouse then remove it. Do what you would do, just as they did. :wink_smil

[MassVOL]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

This is a quote from the book, Hard Tack and Coffee:
"It is growing warmer...The road is evidently clear of all obstructions, but the heat and speed begin to tell on the men. Look at the ground which that brigade has just vacated after its breif halt for rest. It is strewn with blankets, overcoats, dresscoats, pantaloons, shirts-in fact, a little of of everything from the outfit of the common soldier."
Friend,
The book goes on as such speaking of the fatigue of these men during the Wilderness campaign of 1864. It states no actual notation of the practice in question (cutting of lining), and there may be good reason for that. The way the author, John Billings, a veteran of the Army of the Potomac, expressed in this particular excerpt, the extreme fatigue and wear of the federals on the march. In fact, the way he makes it sound, they were happy to bed down for the night and gather what rest they could. Not to say that linings were not discarded, but it seems as though the trouble it would take would be out of the question while on campaign. In know this does not directly assess your query, but that's the best I can do with limited materials by my bedside.

Jim, an interesting counter point to Billings is Wilkenson's history of the 57th Mass VET. Vols. They were part of the Ninth Corps and he reports on the way to the Wilderness, the ground littered with gear including overcoats, shirts, etc. being discarded by the recruits and the 35th Mass only partially equipped picking up the gear as they followed behind. The reason given that the 35th knew the value of the overcoats in the chill nights and the discomfort of carrying was better than the needing and not having.

I think it is interesting to note that Billings only says "that brigade" and may be his attempt to stress to the reader how hot is was instead of an actual event. If memory serves Billings began his books as stories told to children that were interested in the war and then went on to compile them into a book for posterity.

[Alamo Guard]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

I think we need Pat Brown on this question. He's the author of several books on sack coats and Im sure could give some input. My question is would you cut the lining out a civilian coat today if you thought it was too hot to wear? Then why would you cut the lining out of uniform?

[billwatson]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

I believe someone will come along in a bit to tell us about existing sack coats that had linings removed. Be that as it may, expand the rationale. Heat is not the only reason to remove a lining, and in fact I'm not all that sure it would have helped. Lined jeancloth trousers I've got are quite comfortable in the summer.

There are other reasons why a lining might disappear. Gun cleaning rags were sometimes at a premium -- Alfred Bellard tells of tearing up dresses taken from Southern homes to be used for the purpose in "Gone for a Soldier." (And they were accused of wanton vandalism as a result, by the way.) Rags for use at the sinks were also sometimes at a premium, and when you are in duress, a sack coat lining looks mighty handy. Ditto a ration issue of groats or cornmeal or something else requiring a sack, and you've got no sack.

So the issue becomes not just heat, but "At what point does a sack coat lining serve a more valuable function as something other than a lining?" But it seems like something one should be aware of and not necessarily something one needs to act upon. Rather than rip up a perfectly good sack coat that no quartermaster is going to replace when November rolls around and the lining seems more attractive, it might serve the purposes of historical interpretation to instead have a couple of rags or impromptu ration sacks made from the same kind of material as the linings as part of one's kit? Just thinking out loud.

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

I agree with Mark Mason here.

Forgive me if my notation is incorrect, I do not have any texts before me, but isn't a chapter in Hardtack and Coffee titled ''The Outfit Modified''?

I always loved this second hand reference to soldiers making their self more comfortable and discarding or altering their issued goods. This offers no documentation but does perhaps lend a bit of historical relevance to field improvements.

After all, isn't removing a shoulder strap from a saber belt or tying a knot in a canteen strap or even cuffing trowsers the same basic thing.

[DougCooper]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

Since over one million unlined sack coats were made for federal soldiers, it sounds as though at least the Army realized the utility of lighter coats, but they were in the minority compared to lined coats. I have never seen reference to removing a sack coat lining either. Rather it would seem the fashion to unbutton it or remove it, vice damage it. Remember that the lining serves a dual purpose of increasing the durability of the sack coat - ie., if you tear the lining out in an attempt to get cooler, you just decreased the lifespan of your coat. When later all around you are clothed and you are begging for something to cover that domet shirt, the QM might then remind of you of the folly of tearing up your coat.

Honestly, most of us are probably hard pressed to gauge the difference over time between one or the other. Unbuttoned it all feels about the same. And with accouterments, knapsack, etc on top of all, the difference becomes even more minute.

Items discarded by the road were normally the result of a wish to travel lighter, vice travel cooler. From what I have read and experienced myself, the vast majority of field modifications were made to increase the versatility (in combat and on the march), improve fit/appearance and marching comfort of the uniforms and equipment. Shortening straps, cutting extra pockets, discarding entire items, etc. are great examples. Does not mean some soldiers did not tear out all or a portion of the lining for various needs, I just have never read an example.

Come to think of it, if you tear out the lining of a lined sack coat, does the pocket come with it (don't have one here at work)? That might be just enough extra work (sewing it back on) to discourage a soldier from doing that.

[hardtack1864]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

Okay, here is the quote from the CRRC- Summer of 1863- I spent the afternoon taking out the lining of my blouse I am cooler now and the lining makes first rate cloth to wipe our guns with. Also here is another quote out of the CRRC. July 1862-Piping hot...the heat does not oppress me so much as it does in the few hot days we have at home...The men almost always wear there blouses, which are lined for winter service.

[Dave Grieves]

Re: Cutting the lining of Federal sack coats

Come to think of it, if you tear out the lining of a lined sack coat, does the pocket come with it (don't have one here at work)?

The lining material is sewn to the body of the blouse to create a pocket. I supposed the lining could be cut in such a way as to leave the pocket.

I do have one here at work.

:)

[Masked Battery]

Re: Cutting the lining of sack coats

The NC sack coat on display in Raleigh apparently had its body lining removed.

Don't know if this helps you any, but it illustrates that at least one Reb adopted this practice.