Uniforms 4th Michigan unusual jacket.

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Most of us have seen the "Zouave" uniforms of the 4th Michigan Infantry. However, while at the Ypsilanti Museum today I saw this image and wondered about the jacket. Hard to get a good photo through the glass
mich z 2.jpg
mich z 1.jpg



I an not sure I would call this a Zouave jacket or not. it looks like he wears standard issued trousers.
 
I don't think so, most pre war militias wore frocks of some sorts but I could be wrong. Was this man an officer? Officers sometimes got creative with their jackets but I don't see any rank insignia. It looks like a light color trim probably yellow I'm guessing so maybe a private purchase cavalry jacket or musician maybe? Just taking a few guesses really.
 
Said to be 4th Michigan Infantry, so why yellow? I am not aware of any pre war militia company form Sturgis Michigan.
 
The regimental attribution is correct but the name and town are wrong. He is Charles M. Skirvin, Co. C 4th Michigan Infantry, 18 years old and enlisted in January 1863 from Sherman, Michigan. In January 1865 he was appointed Hospital Steward. I think the jacket could be private purchase and not a zouave jacket. Gold lace and trim sometimes appear in mid-war photos of men who re-enlisted and had new fancy jackets made, or jackets made at the end of the war. Perhaps less common are jackets like this worn by mid to late war recruits.
 
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