Building a 7th Illinois Cavalry Lieutenant impression

[Missourian1862]

Hello folks,

My ancestors brother was a lieutenant in the 7th Illinois Cavalry, participated in Griersons Raid during the war, and was also related by marriage to Col. Prince of same unit. His name was Daniel Robbins, and I want to start building a great impression of what he likely, and other officers wore in this unit. I have some questions about what boots (I've been browsing MO boot&shoe) they wore often, which arsenal the uniform came from, as well as cartridge, cap pouches, weapon, hat, belt or sling, etc and other accoutrements like maybe saddle. McClellan? Also the best place to find Muster Rolls, any books(besides my 'Griersons Raid' book).

Any help would be valuable. Thanks
Patrick

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Building a 7th Illinois Cavalry Lieutenant impression

Hallo!

I guess I will give it a start...

IMHO,, you may want to use the SEARCH engine to have a look at archived discussions on officers' impressions. Without an image to go by, which at least freezes time at the moment of the picture taking, or without diaries or accounts... it is hard to nail things down.
That is do to the somewhat haphazard uniforming and equipping of volunteers in the first, the lack of really detailed records as to what depot issued this or what arsenal issued that or when. On top of that, since officers were required to arm and equip themselves out of their own pockets, and often at their own whim and druthers unless a regimental colonel was a fuss bucket... personal choices varied.
And with that, some times junior officers, ot having money in civilian life, and not being paid that greatly in military life, were allowed as a choice to use enlisted mens' kit.

Anyways, IMHO still, one choice for you is to decide how officer looking, how enlisted man looking, or how much of a mix you want to go with. Witohut an image, or detailed acocunts, one is a possible or probable as the next.

Here is an image of Henry Eby, an "untypical" perhaps private from "C" Company of the 7th Illinois Cavalry:



Curt

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Building a 7th Illinois Cavalry Lieutenant impression

Following along Curt's post. Perhaps these will be of help.

An account of the 7th Illinois Cavalry during Sherman's March to the Sea...for sale unfortunately.

http://www.repressedpublishing.com/army-life-of-an-illinois-soldier-including-a-day-by-day-record-of-sherman-s-march-to-the-sea-letters-and-diary-of-the-late-charles-w-wills-private-and-sergeant-8th-illinois-infantry-lieutenant-and-battalion-adjutant-7th-illinois-cavalry-captain-maj-179220

A photo album of several 7th Illinois Cavalry officers;

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5927890

[4vaadjutant]

Re: Building a 7th Illinois Cavalry Lieutenant impression

Hi, Patrick! A great-great-grandfather of mine served as a bugler in the 7th Illinois Cavalry in 1861-62. In the summer of 1862 he was discharged and he reenlisted in the 92nd Illinois Mounted Infantry of Wilder’s Lightning Brigade. I have seen at the National Archives some returns and other paperwork of the 7th Illinois. You might contact a military archivist there to see what they would be willing to copy for you and what the cost would be. Good luck in your endeavors.

Tom Williams
4th Virginia Infantry
Indianapolis

[Missourian1862]

Re: Building a 7th Illinois Cavalry Lieutenant impression

Thanks to the three of you all's response. Some good info -and has got me pointed in the right direction. I will do that, and go into some more research maybe some distant cousins have already uncovered too.
Daniel came from an abolitionist family in Massachusetts, and has some pretty interesting letters about the 'evils' in the south which were written to family starting in the 1850's all the way to during the war. Thank you all.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Building a 7th Illinois Cavalry Lieutenant impression

Hello folks,

My ancestors brother was a lieutenant in the 7th Illinois Cavalry, participated in Griersons Raid during the war, and was also related by marriage to Col. Prince of same unit. His name was Daniel Robbins, and I want to start building a great impression of what he likely, and other officers wore in this unit. I have some questions about what boots (I've been browsing MO boot&shoe) they wore often, which arsenal the uniform came from, as well as cartridge, cap pouches, weapon, hat, belt or sling, etc and other accoutrements like maybe saddle. McClellan? Also the best place to find Muster Rolls, any books(besides my 'Griersons Raid' book).

Any help would be valuable. Thanks
Patrick

Officer's uniforms and equipment were private purchased, and not issued, so there was probably no "uniform" standard. So, his uniform and equipment did not come from an arsenal.