Civilian Sack Coats

[Milliron]

Perhaps all you good civilians out there could direct me to some photographic sources for civilian sack-type coats. I have been poring over many military photos, but it would seem that civilian sources would be better. I am, however a little challenged in sources for this. Online sources would be even better.

Thanks for any help you could lend.

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Civilian Sack Coats

One resource is : http://www.geocities.com/burbridgebn/clothing.html

Jon Isaacson compiled some of his research for the Wilson's Creek event in 2000 and can be found at above address.

Ready made clothing/order clothing for the 19th century male impression, one great vendor is Corner Clothiers, ran by Brian "Speedy" Myrick and Kara Bartels in Gettysburg, PA. www.cornerclothiers.com

So far as images from the era, sack coats can be seen in a variety of images. Some that come to mind are in Juanita Leisch's (now Leisch Jensen) "Civil War Civilians" published in 1994. ISBN # 0-939631-70-9 Front cover the man on the far right (if you're looking at it, the man's left) for example. A lot of CDVs on eBay feature sack coats, of course you have to know what you're looking for.

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: Civilian Sack Coats

Be careful when looking at photographs when trying to dicern details about civilian sack coats. Waste up portraits are of no use since collar treatments were the same or simililar between frock and sack coats. You can generally determine if the individual is wearing a sack coat by the lack of a waist seam and by the inclusion of pockets. I have never seen a frock coat that has any exterior pockets other than those in the skirt and one in the top-left breast area. Generally if you see pockets on a coat-type garment (not an overcoat) it is a sack coat.

For online sources for civilian images you can go to the library of congress website and search there ( memory.lov.gov ) they have a good ammount of civilian images.

What kind of questions are you trying to answer, or what information are you seeking to gather from these photographs?