Early War Uniform

[Moose]

In effort to create standards for an Confederate early war event in the possible future, I am curious to see what uniform pieces, if any, people have for an early war Confederate impression. Theatre of War does not matter, I am just looking for raw data.

Thanks!

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Early War Uniform

Need a couple of more options. eg state coats - NC issued state sack coats early in the war of their own standard. Another option is to put tape trim on a RD2 to look like a commutation jacket. Still another option is civilian clothes.

I own a frock coat w/black cuffs and collar, NC state sack and an RD2 that I can sew black tape trim (cuffs, collar, epaulets, and or chest like a musician) to look like a commutation or militia coat.

If you want to improve the RD2 looks you can also add more buttons and/or change to a more generic early button such as a flower, federal eagle, state seal or coin buttons.

[onemoreb]

Re: Early War Uniform

Being in the Southwest (Missouri/ Arkansas) there were lots of commutation clothing provided by the counties these men came from, at least from Arkansas and Texas. Generally they are made of jean wool and many are rather non-descript. These articles of clothing are seen in many photographs from the period that were taken in Arkansas or Texas. You can check records from units to see what they received and issued.
Louisiana Units like the 3rd Infantry that were sent to McCulloch's Army and fought at Wilson's Creek/ Oakhills and Pea Ridge/ Elkhorn Tavern were "regularly and hansomely uniformed". They were wearing blue-gray jean with black tape trim and "military caps". There were a few with "Hardee" hats with the side folded up but unknown if wearer was in Co. A or Co. K but photo was probably taken in Fayetteville AR in late '61 or early '62 (unknown about any brass on the sides but none seen on the fronts and appear to have no hat cord). The tape trimmed jackets will work for ANV or the 3rd out here. These were issued in October '61. There are plenty of photos available for the Eastern LA units. Clothing was issued by the state so probably they were very similar.

[Chad Wrinn]

Re: Early War Uniform

What if you have'em all three

[lukegilly13]

Re: Early War Uniform

I have a commutation jacket that I made....collar trimmed in light french blue tape, eppauletts, and federal eagle buttons. Trousers are an 1860's civlian made of imported black kersey or I also have civilian trousers in a dark brown jean. I top it off with a civilian behive style hat (or militia kepi depending on the theater) and black civi stovepipe boots. Weapons...I switch to my newly acquired '42 Springfield smoothbore and accompany with an ungodly crude d-guard bowie. Pre-war Northern VA origin leathers.

[nick19thind]

Re: Early War Uniform

I'm planning to make a grey frock coat for future confederate impression to go with the peaked cap i made last year.

[stubbynick]

Re: Early War Uniform

Howdy!
I use a commutation jacket without any trim tape or piping and a slant pocket on the front left breast in a jean material.
I plan to purchase a frock and battleshirt in the very near future for some variety.

Gerald Smolik
Co.A 4th Va. Inf.
ANV

[JimConley]

Re: Early War Uniform

Joseph,
Do you have a specific unit picked out for this possible future impression? Or at least what battle/campaign/specific time do you have in mind?

First, the theatre does matter. While there was such a variety of clothing worn by Confederates under the Commutation System, a specific unit, time, and/or place would further determine if you would be dealing with companies that had commissioned uniforms through a local source or if they had a wide variety of clothing from many different sources. Some units might have had overshirts made for a cheap method of uniformity, and maybe there would have been a CO of wealth that would fund his company jackets, or there could have been men showing up for army life wearing everything from homemade coats, jackets, overshirts to plain civilian clothes. Theatre and location of a specific unit did have an impact on certain styles of uniforms being made. Just ask Cody Mobley and Nic Clark about all the wild pieces they have come across from Deep South and Trans-Mississippi areas.

This is a very tough subject to understand. We do not have enough documentation or original artifacts to make very strong determinations in regards to uniforms in the Confederacy for the most part, especially when you're talking early on. Take, for your consideration, these quotes from:
Arliskas, Thomas M. Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown: Notes on Confederate Uniforms. (Gettysburg: Thomas Publications, 2006), pg. 09.

The following message appeared in several of the major Southern newspapers:
Many volunteer companies, battalions, and
regiments, entered the Confederate service
with the idea the War Department would supply
all the deficiencies of clothing among them,
and would be prepared to meet the reoccurring
wants of its soldiers, who are now suffering
in this respect. Volunteers at all times, are
to provide their clothing, and receive accumulation
in money.

Arthur P. Ford, of the 17th South Carolina Militia Regiment, Palmetto Guards, knew of the commutation law and explained it in his memoirs:
At this [early] period of the War, the Confederate
Government allowed each soldier a certain
yearly sum for a uniform, and each company
decided for itself what uniform it should be. In
consequence, "uniform" was really an inappropriate
term to apply to the various organizations.

At first our company was uniformed in gray
woolen frocks and trousers of the same material,
with blue caps. Next we had gray cotton coats
and trousers with gray cloth hats. Then very dark
brown coats with blue trousers furnished by the
Government, which assumed to provide also the
hats, shoes, and underclothing. The shoes when
we could get them were heavy English brogans,
very hard on the feet, but durable.

The summer of 1862 brought our first allowance
for uniforms. The new uniforms, (at a price
$2.00 over the allotment), was a very inferior half
cotton, half wool which served us to the end of
the year.

You shouldn't let your impression be determined or guided by what reenactors have in their closet, rather what the evidence tells you. As I said before, this is a tough subject and you may not be able to find anything of great information on the impression you might be after, but there is enough out there to at least make an educated decision.

[stubbynick]

Re: Early War Uniform

Jim,

Your post is well stated and I agree! As for myself, I was just sharing what was asked for in the original post, which was , raw data.

Gerald Smolik

Co. A 4TH Va. Inf.
ANV

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Early War Uniform

Jim,

Believe me...future eventum in the works will not be dependant on "whatever is hanging in reenactors closets".

But it's important when starting to consider events and impressions, what you have to work with...for example, many Early-War companies did have very descript, and distinct uniforms (think 1st Virginia Volunteers, Maryland Guard, LA Tigers...etc.)...if wanting to do an event portraying these men...alot would hinge on what is already out there, and what could be procurred prior to the event...this is directly impacted from peoples willingness to support a scripted program (something that the hobby seams to stuggle with in certain areas of the country time and time again).

While alot of documentation certainly exists to support that a hodge podge of mixed marshall and civilian clothing was present in the ranks ca. 1861...what about the ideal of a "model company"...a core group representing a unit that would predate April of 1861...or have just been formed at the outbreak of secession...and uniformed themselves accordingly? While there may no doubt have been some civilian garb present in the ranks (for new recruits, or people who were "in-process" of procurring uniforms), it sure would be nice to set a standard and spend two years working towards it...with exceptions being just that...exceptions...

As an aside to this...what kind of commitment would people put forth for a unique impression to be used maybe only 1-3 times? Imagining that a very unique impression was chosen...could we get support for this...well, maybe...I suppose alot would depend on the complexity of the chosen impression, the costs, the s. appeal of the impression...and costs...probably location somewhere in the mix...and of course costs.

Paul B.

Joseph,
Do you have a specific unit picked out for this possible future impression? Or at least what battle/campaign/specific time do you have in mind?

First, the theatre does matter. While there was such a variety of clothing worn by Confederates under the Commutation System, a specific unit, time, and/or place would further determine if you would be dealing with companies that had commissioned uniforms through a local source or if they had a wide variety of clothing from many different sources. Some units might have had overshirts made for a cheap method of uniformity, and maybe there would have been a CO of wealth that would fund his company jackets, or there could have been men showing up for army life wearing everything from homemade coats, jackets, overshirts to plain civilian clothes. Theatre and location of a specific unit did have an impact on certain styles of uniforms being made. Just ask Cody Mobley and Nic Clark about all the wild pieces they have come across from Deep South and Trans-Mississippi areas.

This is a very tough subject to understand. We do not have enough documentation or original artifacts to make very strong determinations in regards to uniforms in the Confederacy for the most part, especially when you're talking early on. Take, for your consideration, these quotes from:
Arliskas, Thomas M. Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown: Notes on Confederate Uniforms. (Gettysburg: Thomas Publications, 2006), pg. 09.



You shouldn't let your impression be determined or guided by what reenactors have in their closet, rather what the evidence tells you. As I said before, this is a tough subject and you may not be able to find anything of great information on the impression you might be after, but there is enough out there to at least make an educated decision.

[Moose]

Re: Early War Uniform

Jim,
No arguement here. You are absolutly correct. But Paul hit the nail on the head. I'm simply looking for data. The impression won't be just what people have in their closet. That being said, we have a pool of units to choose from, none have been chosen yet, and we do some documentation of what these units were wearing. This data will simply aid us in making a choice. Like Paul's example, you wouldn't choose to do an event as early war 1st Virginia, knowing most people don't have the specific uniform, then giving people a whole host of secondary options, thus resulting in an event where the impression really does not represent the 1st Virginia. We are looking to reduce the number of secondary options, therefore, I am just looking for some very broad, and loose data.

[Andy Ackeret]

Re: Early War Uniform

As an aside to this...what kind of commitment would people put forth for a unique impression to be used maybe only 1-3 times? Imagining that a very unique impression was chosen...could we get support for this...well, maybe...I suppose alot would depend on the complexity of the chosen impression, the costs, the s. appeal of the impression...and costs...probably location somewhere in the mix...and of course costs.

Speaking from personal experience, it can be difficult to get a sizable group that is able to commit to creating an impression that will have limited uses. For several years, the ONV hosted a living history at the Civil War Museum in Kenosha, WI. Our impression was the Park City Grays, a company from the 1st Wisconsin (90 Days). Over the process of a few years we took the impression from civilian clothing to adding militia waist belts the first year, to adding proper caps the second year, and in the last year, frock coats. Let's not even get into the 1855 Springfields the 1st was armed with. Even with costs deferred over several years, not everyone was able to make the commitment needed for the complete uniform. Do I blame anyone for that? No, not at all.

All that being said, I think it's good to collect some data and know what's out there. We may assume most people have X, but is that really the case? Event regs should be accurate to the unit being portrayed, but at the same time, I think "we" need to keep in mind not every guy is able to buy a different coat for every event.

-Andy Ackeret
Who buys a different coat for every event, but he's sicker than most.

[Virginia Rifle]

Re: Early War Uniform

Portrying the 1st Virginia Volunteers, we can use a typical Volunteer Uniform of the Eastern Theater. The light gray jackett comes near to the Richmond Depot 1 with black trimming around collar, cuffs and shoulder belts. Button holes black stiched and a black stripe on the trousers.

[mslaird]

Re: Early War Uniform

Hello all, I haven't posted in quite a while, been doing a lot of research...

I have frocks, shell jackets and I am working on my civilian clothing which includes an overshirt.

All of the impressions that I do are early war as I pretty much limit my stuff to Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding sites, most of which are pre December 1862 timeframe. I have had to look into this very topic as much as possible due to the fact that I do programs on a regular basis and I am very intent on looking right. I am constantly tweaking my impressions as new information comes to my attention.

For early war in the Trans-Mississippi Theatre and in the AOT operations area frock coats in the varying grey, butternut and brown jean, cassimere, and satinets would be good for the state issued uniforms for 1861 and early 1862. For Arkansas, the state clothing issuance seems, in photographs, and references that I have found to be frock coats. However, I have found a couple of photos one of which shows a soldier that was garrisoned in Little Rock that has a shell jacket with epaulets and slash pockets at each breast that button with a small button, possibly a coin button. Whether that was issued or whether it was privately purchased or made is unknown to me. One of the earliest photographs of Arkansas troops was a company photograph of Company H of the 3rd State Regiment of Arkansas Infantry taken in Arkadelphia in 1861, found in Roberts and Moneyhon's Portraits of Conflict, Arkansas (26) that I believe has been referenced here before that shows a large number of battle shirts, overshirts and civilian clothing ranging from sacks to paletots. It could be argued that one could not go wrong on an early war impression with civilian attire by itself or with some civilian attire augmented with a battle/overshirt. A nod to those in the Tater Mess as they look the part with their early war impressions.

There are a couple of colors that are not represented enough and those are the varying shades of brown jean/satinet/or cassimere made from dyes composed of copperas and walnut galls and "butternut" articles that have been dyed with a proper copperas dye that renders them in color ranges from yellow to a nicotine/tobacco brown. My emphasis with the previous statement stems primarily toward the medium to dark browns and the lighter shades that are almost a mustard yellow. Copperas was used to augment the natural dyes that were used to make the greys when those materials were not available. The copperas dye has been used for centuries as iron oxide is not terribly difficult to find and process for the dye. The famous T. Otis Baker garment was dyed in this manner and would have been quite brown when new. Additionally, and those who have logwood dyed stuff can chime in on this point, logwood has a penchent to fade to a light dirty brown grey color rather quickly when used depending on the warp of the fabric and the composition of the dye used. I have a Starbuck kepi on which the color of the top looks like the beige headliner in my chainsmoking mother's old car and it was originally logwood dyed jean wool fabric.

Some of the garments that have come out in the last few months from folks like the Richmond Depot with the Penitentiary Jacket in undyed kersey are excellent in the Trans-Miss and AOT theatres for mid war to late war. Those garments made in undyed cloth are representative of the cloth manufactured in the penitentaries in Texas that found its way throughout the western and Trans Miss theatres. On the converse side of that point with the undyed fabrics. I have had it pointed out to me several times that large shipments of that particular fabric went hither and yon during the time frame I am alluding to which would account for some of this type of material in the various shell jackets. Despite these widespread reports of this fabric, I realised that it does pay to note however, these fabrics were as easy to piece dye then as they are today and a lot of that undyed jean could have been dyed with logwood or copperas and ended up being used in grey or brown shell jackets too.

Just my four cents worth.

[yeoman]

Re: Early War Uniform

Sir, this may not add to the thread but if I may share a bit of this book, "History of Anson County North Carolina, 1750-1976" by Mary L. Medley.
A little early history of Co. C, Anson Guards (later Co. C 4th Regiment N.C.Volunteers, and still later the 14th Regiment N.C.Troops), and their early uniforms.
"Recruitment brought one hundred men to answer the call. As the Guards mobilized for duty and prepared to leave Wadesborough and Anson County, Women of the town presented them with a beautiful silk flag, which had been painted by Lemuel Brown.
As the Guards prepared to enter service of the Confederacy, they were measured for uniforms of gray by "Little" Billy Patrick. These were to be made up and forwarded. Mothers and sisters of the Guards made temporary uniforms of white linen pants and red flannel shirts. Sergeant Eli Freeman had made bowie knives in his blacksmith shop".