A. P. Hill's boys in blue?

[wt_jimbos]

Is it true that A. P. Hill's men at Antietam arrived on the field wearing blue (union jackets from Harper's Ferry) and hence sucking in Burnside's advance and putting the final nail in his advance? If it is true how big a factor was it in the repulse of Burnside? If true how many of A. P. Hill's men wore blue. I've read it in several text, and then not seen it mentioned in other?

[johan_steele]

James, it is certainly true that throughout the War Confederate troops often wore blue jackets& blue trousers. I'm not certain I can name a source that might give an idea of how many of his men were wearing blue. But the the war is replete w/ examples of CSA troops wearing captured gear, and the Union was not exempt from such practices, many of Shermans men left NC on their way to the Grand Review wearing brand new unissued NC manufactured trousers.

[gary]

I don't think it was deliberate deception inasmuch as a failure of the Confederate Quartermaster Corps.

[illreb]

actually I think ( correct me if I'm wrong)it was from Warehouse stores captured at Harpers Ferry

[dave_kelly]

James:

Not so sure that the blueish tatterdemaelion of Hill's troops could be considered a cause for great alarm amongst the federal line. More germaine was the large number of rookie regiments seeing their first battle as part of 9th Corps at Antietam. These units simply couldn't maneuver fast enough or shoot fast enough to keep up with Hill's Veterans who snow plowed them off the field.

[jackbluelight]

Whenever I here of this event, I always here mention of some Holmes Jr. fellow in Burnsides Brigade being seriously wounded, and I always wonder what the signifigance of this is. It may be entirely clueless of me, but I would appreciate someone filling me in.

[mobile_96]

This was Captain Holmes, Jr. was the son of none other than Oliver Wendell Holmes. He was first reported killed, but found wandering around behind the lines, with a severe neck wound. So severe in fact it surprising that he would live.
Chuck in Il.