Tweet
Gentlemen of Company G,
This is a rather long post but the information is very important. Please read and let me know if you have any questions.
Pat Craddock and I are currently working on a deal for the shirts. We will keep you posted as to details.
Please take a few minutes to read the following.:
The elections were completed in accordance with the order and Hugh R. Miller was elected captain, Richard A. Palmer First Lieutenant, and William W. Leland Second Lieutenant respectively. Soon after the elections Miller dispatched an order for officer uniforms to JS &S Bowie and Company in Charleston, South Carolina. Miller was originally from South Carolina and had practiced law there it is assumed this is the connection with Bowie and Company. On January 19th, 1861 Bowie wrote to Miller informing him that his order was on its way. Bowie apologized for an apparent delay and the fact the satinet was darker than what Miller had originally asked for. “ The colour of the satinet we fear is not light enough, but it is the best we could do and in the end it will look better on account of its darker shade we hope it will not be entirely unsatisfactory.”3 On January 20th First Lieutenant Richard Palmer wrote to George Miller, H.R. Miller’s son, at the University of Mississippi at Oxford.
All through the remainder of December, January, February, and March the company went about the business of arming, clothing, and equipping itself. Near the end of December, the account book of the company indicated a total of $790.00 raised “for the purpose of arming and equipping the Pontotoc Minute Men”.5 Over the next few months the company prepared itself the best it could. In mid April the Minute Men began to resemble an infantry company. On April 13, 1861 eighty one men received “each one musket with bayonet, one wiper, one cartridge box, one cartridge box belt, one waistbelt with buckles, one cap pouch, and one bayonet scabbard.”6 About the same time, over a four day period from April 12th to April 15th, the company procured from Isaac Steppacher just over 89 yards of grey flannel. Isaac Steppacher was from Germany and was a merchant in Pontotoc. Isaac Mooser, a Bavarian bookkeeper and a member of the Minute Men, is believed to have been employed by Steppacher before the war. Indeed, Mooser appears to have been heavily involved in the procurement of clothing for the company. He not only bought over 9 yards of gray flannel, personally, but on April 30th he was reimbursed $27.50 from the company funds for the procurement of jackets. It is also clear that the Pontotoc Sewing Society was actively contributing as well. Though no specific date is given (other than 1861), the Sewing Society donated on more than one occasion. A receipt from the largest contribution, which might well have been at the company’s inception, consisted of “145 cotton shirts – 101 linen jackets – 137 pairs of pants – 75 pair cotton drawers”7. Even after the company left Mississippi for Virginia troops were still getting clothing.
There is no doubt that the men of Company G were clad in an array of garments in the spring and summer of 1861. The evidence points most predominantly to linen jackets and gray wool flannel overshirts. Regardless of what Company G was clad in when it marched off to war, one fact is certainly clear, the men of the 2nd Mississippi were actively campaigning prior to First Manassas. Even though combat may not have been experienced other hardships certainly were faced. Aside from disease, these men were marching to and fro across Northern Virginia and spent many nights exposed to the elements. Anxious as to what awaited them and in the knowledge that Union General Patterson could attack at any moment, the 2nd Mississippi adapted quickly to campaign hardships. The following excerpts from the diary of Augustus L.P. Vairin’s diary exhibit the nature of soldiering these men were experiencing.
In conclusion, the reactivated Company G Pontotoc Minute Men suggest the following as it pertains to uniforms and equipment. The items listed in bold print are strongly preferred and encouraged (I have only listed items that differ from the already well researched and established guidelines presented by Matt Woodburn).
Coat/Tunic
1. Gray Flannel Overshirt
2. Linen Jacket (Gray)
3. Red Flannel Overshirt
4. Civilian Attire: Contact Company Commander for approval
Trousers
1. Gray jean cloth
2. Neutral colored jean cloth
3. Civilian wool of any shade
Shoes
1. Shoes (confederate issue) should be in good shape
2. Jefferson Bootes
3. Civilian buckle type
4. Boots
Bibliography
1. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Dec 10th, 1860, Special Order No. 29 Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Hereinafter cited as MDAH.
2. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Dec 10th, 1860, Letter from W.S. Sykes Adjutant General State of Mississippi, MDAH.
3. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Jan 19th, 1861, Letter from JS&S Bowie, Charleston, MDAH.
4. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Jan 20th, 1861, Letter from RA Palmer to George Miller, MDAH.
5. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Dec 1860, Account book of the Pontotoc Minute Men, MDAH.
6. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; April 13th, 1861 Account book of the Pontotoc Minute Men, MDAH.
7. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; 1861 Receipt from Pontotoc Sewing Society, MDAH.
8. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; May 31, 1861 Receipt for Trousers, MDAH.
9. Augustus L.P. Vairin, “Civil War Diary of Augustus L. P. Vairin 2nd Mississippi Infantry, C.S.A” http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ms...airindiary.htm , 2010.
10. Jeremiah Gage “Letter to Mother June 20, 1861” http://clio.lib.olemiss.edu/cdm4/doc...PTR=1347&REC=1 , Digital Collections: Civil War Archive- University of Mississippi, 2010.
11. Jeremiah Gage “Letter to Mother June 20, 1861” http://clio.lib.olemiss.edu/cdm4/doc...PTR=1347&REC=1 , Digital Collections: Civil War Archive- University of Mississippi, 2010.
12. Fontaine, Charles D., Account by Lt. C. D. Fontaine of the "Minute Men," of the battle of Manassas, August 9, 1861, THE EXAMINER [PONTOTOC, MS], p. 2, c. 1-6, and p. 3, c. 1-2.
This is a rather long post but the information is very important. Please read and let me know if you have any questions.
Pat Craddock and I are currently working on a deal for the shirts. We will keep you posted as to details.
Please take a few minutes to read the following.:
Brief Sketch of the uniform of the Pontotoc Minute Men
Recognizing that war was on the horizon, Hugh R. Miller organized the Pontotoc Minute Men in December 1860. Miller and others set about the task of drafting a constitution and by-laws for the company and submitted them to the State of Mississippi for approval. Accordingly, on December 10, 1860 the Adjutant General’s Office in Jackson sent Miller Special Order No. 29. “You are hereby ordered to hold an election in the town of Pontotoc on or about the 15th day of December 1860 for commissioned officers of the Pontotoc Minute Men To wit: One Captain, One First Lieutenant, One Second Lieutenant.”1 Ballots were to be returned no later than the day after the election. Accompanying Special Order No 29 was a letter from Adjutant General W.S. Sykes, in it he addressed the Minute Men’s request for rifles, “it will be impossible to furnish them, for they cannot be procured anywhere- Altered US muskets only can be furnished to companies now organizing.”2 The elections were completed in accordance with the order and Hugh R. Miller was elected captain, Richard A. Palmer First Lieutenant, and William W. Leland Second Lieutenant respectively. Soon after the elections Miller dispatched an order for officer uniforms to JS &S Bowie and Company in Charleston, South Carolina. Miller was originally from South Carolina and had practiced law there it is assumed this is the connection with Bowie and Company. On January 19th, 1861 Bowie wrote to Miller informing him that his order was on its way. Bowie apologized for an apparent delay and the fact the satinet was darker than what Miller had originally asked for. “ The colour of the satinet we fear is not light enough, but it is the best we could do and in the end it will look better on account of its darker shade we hope it will not be entirely unsatisfactory.”3 On January 20th First Lieutenant Richard Palmer wrote to George Miller, H.R. Miller’s son, at the University of Mississippi at Oxford.
Dear George,
Please look at the depot for a box from Charleston to W.W. Leland containing our
uniforms, ordered by your father. If it is not there, please send the following dispatch
to Wm Langton Bowie in Charleston “Have you rec’d order from H.R. Miller for uniforms”
Request an immediate answer by telegraph, pay for the charges, send us amt and we
will refund to you whatever the amt may be. By attending to this you will much oblige
Your Friend & (illegible)
R.A. Palmer
Write as soon as you receive dispatch4
No other evidence has been found to date regarding the officer uniforms of the Pontotoc Minute Men. We only know these uniforms were satinet and presumably dark gray. Please look at the depot for a box from Charleston to W.W. Leland containing our
uniforms, ordered by your father. If it is not there, please send the following dispatch
to Wm Langton Bowie in Charleston “Have you rec’d order from H.R. Miller for uniforms”
Request an immediate answer by telegraph, pay for the charges, send us amt and we
will refund to you whatever the amt may be. By attending to this you will much oblige
Your Friend & (illegible)
R.A. Palmer
Write as soon as you receive dispatch4
All through the remainder of December, January, February, and March the company went about the business of arming, clothing, and equipping itself. Near the end of December, the account book of the company indicated a total of $790.00 raised “for the purpose of arming and equipping the Pontotoc Minute Men”.5 Over the next few months the company prepared itself the best it could. In mid April the Minute Men began to resemble an infantry company. On April 13, 1861 eighty one men received “each one musket with bayonet, one wiper, one cartridge box, one cartridge box belt, one waistbelt with buckles, one cap pouch, and one bayonet scabbard.”6 About the same time, over a four day period from April 12th to April 15th, the company procured from Isaac Steppacher just over 89 yards of grey flannel. Isaac Steppacher was from Germany and was a merchant in Pontotoc. Isaac Mooser, a Bavarian bookkeeper and a member of the Minute Men, is believed to have been employed by Steppacher before the war. Indeed, Mooser appears to have been heavily involved in the procurement of clothing for the company. He not only bought over 9 yards of gray flannel, personally, but on April 30th he was reimbursed $27.50 from the company funds for the procurement of jackets. It is also clear that the Pontotoc Sewing Society was actively contributing as well. Though no specific date is given (other than 1861), the Sewing Society donated on more than one occasion. A receipt from the largest contribution, which might well have been at the company’s inception, consisted of “145 cotton shirts – 101 linen jackets – 137 pairs of pants – 75 pair cotton drawers”7. Even after the company left Mississippi for Virginia troops were still getting clothing.
Harpers Ferry May 31st , 1861
Captain Miller
Company G 2nd Mississippi Ridgt
100 Pairs of 1 Kentucky Jeans Pants $137.50
Received Payment
B.D. Arish (sp?)
Rev J.W.M. Price8
Also from the account book of Company G it is clear that between June 1st and July 13th, 1861 no less than 50 pairs of shoes were issued to the men. Others in the company would have to wait until after Manassas to get their shoes as 26 more pairs were issued on July 30th. Captain Miller
Company G 2nd Mississippi Ridgt
100 Pairs of 1 Kentucky Jeans Pants $137.50
Received Payment
B.D. Arish (sp?)
Rev J.W.M. Price8
There is no doubt that the men of Company G were clad in an array of garments in the spring and summer of 1861. The evidence points most predominantly to linen jackets and gray wool flannel overshirts. Regardless of what Company G was clad in when it marched off to war, one fact is certainly clear, the men of the 2nd Mississippi were actively campaigning prior to First Manassas. Even though combat may not have been experienced other hardships certainly were faced. Aside from disease, these men were marching to and fro across Northern Virginia and spent many nights exposed to the elements. Anxious as to what awaited them and in the knowledge that Union General Patterson could attack at any moment, the 2nd Mississippi adapted quickly to campaign hardships. The following excerpts from the diary of Augustus L.P. Vairin’s diary exhibit the nature of soldiering these men were experiencing.
“14 June Thursday …..We sleep without tents tonight ready to fall in at a moment”
“15 June Friday ……Made 11 miles today”
“2 July Tuesday …..we took the Martinsburg direction & reached Bunker Hill, 12 miles,
at sundown…&laid down on the ground to sleep”9
Others from Bee’s Brigade shared Vairin’s experience. Jeremiah Gage, of the University Greys 11th Mississippi, wrote his mother on June 20, 1861 “ We were without a change of clothes for six days and sweat dust and heat made us look like savages.”10 Gage goes on to say, “We get no pay from the confederacy until the expiration of 3 months and I need some clothes. If you can. Send me 30.00 it will aid me much”11 . Third Lieutenant Charles D. Fontaine of company G alludes to the state of the common soldier as well. Immediately following Manassas his account of the battle was printed in The Examiner, Pontotoc MS. Fontaine wrote …”our clothing, sometimes in rags, had retained no impression of the dyer's handiwork, and was past the redemption of soap.” …”we had been sleeping on our arms in the open bivouack [sic], without any other bed than a blanket, and no covering but the "starry decked canopy" of heaven, or the misty clouds which sometimes distilled their showers upon us”.12 Perhaps Fontaine a former politician and grandson of Patrick Henry, embellished somewhat but the evidence does indicate that these men were far from band box. “15 June Friday ……Made 11 miles today”
“2 July Tuesday …..we took the Martinsburg direction & reached Bunker Hill, 12 miles,
at sundown…&laid down on the ground to sleep”9
In conclusion, the reactivated Company G Pontotoc Minute Men suggest the following as it pertains to uniforms and equipment. The items listed in bold print are strongly preferred and encouraged (I have only listed items that differ from the already well researched and established guidelines presented by Matt Woodburn).
Coat/Tunic
1. Gray Flannel Overshirt
2. Linen Jacket (Gray)
3. Red Flannel Overshirt
4. Civilian Attire: Contact Company Commander for approval
Trousers
1. Gray jean cloth
2. Neutral colored jean cloth
3. Civilian wool of any shade
Shoes
1. Shoes (confederate issue) should be in good shape
2. Jefferson Bootes
3. Civilian buckle type
4. Boots
Bibliography
1. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Dec 10th, 1860, Special Order No. 29 Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Hereinafter cited as MDAH.
2. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Dec 10th, 1860, Letter from W.S. Sykes Adjutant General State of Mississippi, MDAH.
3. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Jan 19th, 1861, Letter from JS&S Bowie, Charleston, MDAH.
4. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Jan 20th, 1861, Letter from RA Palmer to George Miller, MDAH.
5. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; Dec 1860, Account book of the Pontotoc Minute Men, MDAH.
6. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; April 13th, 1861 Account book of the Pontotoc Minute Men, MDAH.
7. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; 1861 Receipt from Pontotoc Sewing Society, MDAH.
8. Z 2215.000 S, MILLER (HUGH REID AND SUSAN WALTON) FAMILY PAPERS
1829-1865; 2005; May 31, 1861 Receipt for Trousers, MDAH.
9. Augustus L.P. Vairin, “Civil War Diary of Augustus L. P. Vairin 2nd Mississippi Infantry, C.S.A” http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ms...airindiary.htm , 2010.
10. Jeremiah Gage “Letter to Mother June 20, 1861” http://clio.lib.olemiss.edu/cdm4/doc...PTR=1347&REC=1 , Digital Collections: Civil War Archive- University of Mississippi, 2010.
11. Jeremiah Gage “Letter to Mother June 20, 1861” http://clio.lib.olemiss.edu/cdm4/doc...PTR=1347&REC=1 , Digital Collections: Civil War Archive- University of Mississippi, 2010.
12. Fontaine, Charles D., Account by Lt. C. D. Fontaine of the "Minute Men," of the battle of Manassas, August 9, 1861, THE EXAMINER [PONTOTOC, MS], p. 2, c. 1-6, and p. 3, c. 1-2.
Comment