Three Federal képi patch questions.

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Three Federal képi patch questions.

Gary,
Glad you got a good product from Mike and are happy with it.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Three Federal képi patch questions.

I will support Gary and say that his breat strap pattern, color etc pass muster, at least from the photograph. There was a WIDE array of tack, and supplemental "furnishings" like breast straps that were available then that simply aren't reproduced today. I give Gary the credit for making the effort to reproduce a more obscure piece of gear.

Gary, as to your earlier concern about looking too AoP, I could see why that would be a concern. I'm not sure if you're striving to do one period of the war, or just a general impression, but your look is very tidy. Not to say it's wrong, but western folks tend to sport a more wild and wooly look, with hats, sack coats, and outlandish boots. That said, there were certainly "dandy" officers in every theater of the war.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[GAR]

Re: Three Federal képi patch questions.

Thank you kindly for the support. I might be a touch "dandy", as you say, but don't think for a minute that I part my hair down the middle. As the commander of a brand new unit, I wish to instill a pride in appearance, by gob, to keep up morale in a company that is sorely lacking in proper uniforms and equipage. As junior partner of a Kansas City law firm, I had enough personal funds to properly tailor a uniform and outfit myself and my Lieutenant, as well as provide some of the weapons, mounts, ammunition and supplies to my men. The QM does not recognize Confederate Partizan Rangers as a uniformed army and has placed us on a low priority status, forcing undue hardships upon my men. Once he stops sitting on his coat tails and realizes the necessity of our duty, I hope to be personally reimbursed for my expenditures, but only after my company has been equipped, proper like. The good people of Paola, seeing our sorry conditions, have graciously done what they can, tightening their own belts whilst bringing us eggs, milk and on special occasions, pies. May the Lord help us keep them safe.
As the war goes on, I 'spect my appearance will roughen up some, if'n some dadgum Bushwacker doesn't get me first with a lucky shot.

YOS

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Three Federal képi patch questions.

Gary --

Gotta refer to what Tom Craig posted - you look too "clean" and dandy. You don't appear as if you've been in the field for 5 minutes. I would also question "paintings" as historical resources, unless the artist is a Don Trioani or someone with impeccable historical accuracy. My personal opinion regarding the yellow headband and breast strap, is that it may be accurate for early, early way, but once in the field it has "TARGET" written all over it, and I'm sure they would have been soon replaced. The gauntlets may also be a bit much - more of a "John Ford Western-ism."

Just my 2˘

[GAR]

Re: Three Federal képi patch questions.

Mike,
Thanks for your input. I referred to period paintings only because period photos are black and white. With yellow photographing as black in early plates, we only have written descriptions and actual artifacts to prove what was used during the war. I suppose "period paintings" was a poor chose of words on my part. What I really meant to say were the Harper's Weekly style of pen and ink drawings (lithographs?) that were then colored in for mass production. There are numerous examples of yellow accents in these "pictures" but I agree and stated above that they would have provided an excellent target and would be more appropriate for parade use.
If you read what I have posted above, by this point in 1862, the 9th had just begun to take the field, so 5 minutes wouldn't be far off the mark and 1862 should still qualify as early war.
The only point I would somewhat disagree with, and my reason for this post, is your comment about the gauntlets. The artifact collections of almost all cavalry officers include them, and I've seen dozens of studio portraits of enlisted cavalrymen wearing them as well. They could be studio props, but I don't think so.
Note that I said "somewhat disagree", because the sutler gauntlets today appear to differ from those relics and photos. The period gauntlets appear to have wider cuffs that are stiffer and split half way on the outside of the wrist, probably for ease of taking on and off, possibly to allow for more air circulation or even to show the number of buttons (enlisted 2, officer 3) on a coat or jacket sleeve. Besides protection from chain firing pistols, saber cuts, brush and thorn scratches (that could lead to infection), sunburn and mosquito or fly bites, gauntlets were mostly necessary to keep your hands clean enough to eat with when you paused for a meal. Horses are majestic, beautiful animals, but they are filthy beyond believe. The best groomed horse on the picket line will still raise a puff of dust when you slap his rump. They also tend to roll and sleep in their own manure when confined to a picket line.
With all that said, I am currently working on making my own pair, without the embroidered eagle fru-fru that are being sold on sutler row for around $50 today. I might be wrong, but I believe gauntlets were a private purchase, not issued, so embroidered cuffs would've been rare, and no two would have been exactly the same anyway.
Yes, I look too clean, a dandy or a popinjay, but it is intentional. The cavalry was romanticized prior to the war and new officers would have been very proud of their commission. Most rank at the beginning of the war was based on popularity rather than merit, and many of those who could afford it would have gone for the panache while seeking glory, with the harsh realities of a much longer war just starting to flicker on the horizon.
Again, thanks to all for your comments and opinions. I really enjoy these discussions.