1st KY Regiment CSA

[The Dude]

I am trying to find some info on this regiments uniform. Several years ago, searching for something else, I ran across a couple of archived newspaper articles from 1861 describing the units as they detrained in Richmond and another location I cannot remember. I can't figure out how I got there. Maybe someone might be able to help me.

Thanks

 

[Klaudly]

From The Richmond Daily Dispatch, 17 May, 1861 : 1st Ky Battalion

"They number about six hundred, are uniformed in blue woolen hunting shirts and trousers, with slouched hats, and are commanded by Col. Blanton Duncan, a wealthy gentleman of Kentucky, who served in the regiment of that State with distinction during the Mexican war. Col. Duncan raised, equipped and transported his regiment to Virginia entirely at his own expense. The Kentuckians are armed with Minnie rifles. They are specially detailed to guard the strongly fortified Maryland Heights, the key to the whole position."

 

[The Dude]

From The Richmond Daily Dispatch, 17 May, 1861 : 1st Ky Battalion

"They number about six hundred, are uniformed in blue woolen hunting shirts and trousers, with slouched hats, and are commanded by Col. Blanton Duncan, a wealthy gentleman of Kentucky, who served in the regiment of that State with distinction during the Mexican war. Col. Duncan raised, equipped and transported his regiment to Virginia entirely at his own expense. The Kentuckians are armed with Minnie rifles. They are specially detailed to guard the strongly fortified Maryland Heights, the key to the whole position."

That's the one I was looking for. Thanks!!!! there was a similar description I believe in the Lynchburg paper.

 

[Klaudly]

I found various types of coats under the description of 'Hunting Shirt'. How exactly was it made?

 

[Old Breck]

There are several accounts of companies of the Kentucky State Guard wearing "hunting shirts".

Additionally, there are several high resolution photos of the KSG Encampment at Camp Boone in Louisville in August 1860. Most of the images show the various companies wearing single breasted frock coats, similar to that of Pvt. Henry Hall that currently resides at Stone's River National Battlefield. I do not believe Hall was wearing the frock at Stones River.

I will see if I can find the images from Camp Boone, but I don't believe I've seen the hunting shirts as described

 

[Klaudly]

This is a KSG's Hunting shirt. Maybe 1st Kentucky wear a model of coat like this, but in dark blue color?

 

[Old Breck]

This is a KSG's Hunting shirt. Maybe 1st Kentucky wear a model of coat like this, but in dark blue color?

Wow! I have never seen that image before, but it does appear similar to the images from Camp Boone. Do you have a source for it? The chevrons are particularly interesting. In the images from Camp Boone they are higher on the sleeve and inverted.

The skirt of the frock does seem very similar to the one proposed and adopted by Buckner as the "official" uniform of the KSG, but I cannot tell if the body is pleated.

Below is a slideshow of the Louisville Encampment

 

[major bill]

The term hunting shirt was used to describe several style of over shirts. Some hunting shirts have pleated chests, some a drop should sleeves. Others resemble the style of hunting shirts worn during the American Revolution or during the War of 1812.

 

[Klaudly]

Dont remember were i found image, but this is the service uniform of the KSG.
Camp Boone photos show the Guard on parade, service uniforms were not worn.
The most famous images of the Kentucky State Guard at Camp Boone, show the dress uniform:

The service uniform is described as a gray 'Hunting shirt", illustrated in post#6

 

[Klaudly]

In 2013 I tried to reconstruct the uniform of the Kentucky State Guard, the ranks of the officers are a real headache, I wrote an article, this link (in Italian)
http://www.storiamilitare.altervista.org/kentuckysg.htm
does not solve all the doubts, but I got some small results.

 

[Klaudly]

Returning to the topic. Based on the service uniform, I imagined that the 'Hunting Shirts' of 1st Kentucky, were sewn on the basis of those used by the Guard, six buttons pleated coat but blue color.