Debray's 26th Texas Cavalry Uniforms

[rrbeers]

Hello!
I was wondering if anyone had any information on Debray's 26th Texas Cavalry regiment uniforms. We are trying to form up a new unit that portrays them and I'm having trouble finiding information on their uniforms, any information you have on them would be greatly appreciated! Or also if you know where I could find the information. I have emailed the Daughters of Confederacy and am going to email the Sons of the Confederacy as well. Thank you so much for your time!

[johan_steele]

Do a search for Don Trioni I believe he may have done a unit study on them but don't recall. Then email the Texas Historical Society; they have a staff that is quite helpful and will assist you for a small fee. IIRC they charged a friend $12 for some copies of documents.

Good Luck

[texascavcadet]

As a Texas Cavalry Reenactor,

Most Texas troops left Texas in anything they could aquire. My unit (11th Texas Cavalry) used to wear the common grey. But most recently we moved to "what" our unit left Texas with at the start of the war.
We now have jean cloth sack coats with black cuffs,along with black cotton pants. This is what the 11th rode out with at the start of 1861.

You will most likely have to have a sutler custum make yall's uniforms.

Good Luck!

And glad to see yall are repersenting Texas Troops!!!

Best Regards,
Garrett Estey
11th Texas Cavalry

[Peter Stines]

Most of this came through Fred Adolphus and the National Archives. I'm still adding to this, but here is the jist of it.
The 26th consisted of men recruited from Galveston, Houston and surrounding counties. It was part of the Trans-Mississippi.
Their clothing was made at the Huntsville prison and was part of the Houston Depot.
The jacket was slightly below hip length with no trim. (Forget the modern images of the green cuffs, collar, etc. It didn't happen) Grey jean and white cotton jean are mentioned. The white jean was the source of the comment about "shrouds" and "grave clothes".
I've been told that the Richmond Depot jacket can be modified for a reasonable copy of what Debray's men wore, but I'm not a tailor.
Trousers were similar in color and material, but also included captured Yankee sky-blue. Reinforced in the seat I assume.
The cap was the kepi or chasseur style. No bummers with floppy crowns. No chinstraps either. Waste of leather. The bills were square and flat No McDowell brims here.
A lot of Texas troops wore black felt hats imported from England. These had a five inch tall pill box crown and 3" wide brim.
These hats are seen in numerous photographs and many were adorned with a thin brass or tin "Lone Star" Of course civilian styles were added along the way.
Footwear was brogans, not boots. At least not among e-m. Officers yes.
Belts were the black leather U.S. 1851 with the brass eagle buckle that was part of the stock captured in San Antonio.
"Georgia frame" buckles are also highly possible.
Sabers were probably the U.S. Model 1840 (Old Wrist Breaker) I don't know when or if the 1860 saber was part of the San Antonio stock.
Arms were captured Hall breech-loading carbines (MY guess is the 1840 Model with improved side lever). Most Hall carbines were smoothbore although the Model 1843 was rifled. Unless you order the parts from the Rifle Shoppe and have it custom built, you're out of luck with a replica Hall.
There probably were some Sharps, shotguns and Enfield musketoons or carbines. These are widely available in repro form. Handguns were Colt, Prescott and some single-shot horse pistols left over from the Mexican War. (1842 percussion and some 1836 converted from flint to percussion) I doubt if Debray's men were like "Josey Wales" with a dozen six shootings hanging off them.
In the begining, the 26th had Mexican lances (More Mex-War plunder) but they quickly ditched them. Saddles, tack, etc, would have been whatever was in San Antonio in '61.
Comments from the period describe Debray's men as among the best disciplined troops in Tejas. The earned the nick-name of "The Menagerie".
Contact me at pete1832@hotmail.com