Captains bars on a enlisted sack coat

[Capt7thWvCoA]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if it was period correct to have captains shoulder boards on a enlisted mans sack coat ?

 

[johan_steele]

No. A battlefield promotion to Lt maybe but a Captain… not likely. An officer was expected to provide his own uniform and he had enough pay to do so.

 

[Carol]

If I'm not mistaken, this is a sack coat, and it has bars on the shoulders. According to the display, this coat was worn by Grant. If he paid for it, I'm not sure, but isn't it possible that officers wore sack coats so as not to be recognized so quickly?

Source for photo obtained from Civil War Wiki at the following link:

Uniform of the Union Army

The Uniform of the Union Army was widely varied and, due to limitations on supply of wool and other materials, based on availability and cost of materials during the United States Civil War. However it shows heavy French influence. The standard U.S. army uniform at the outbreak of the war had...

civilwar-history.fandom.com

 

[johan_steele]

That is a private purchase sack coat, not an issue one.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

but isn't it possible that officers wore sack coats so as not to be recognized so quickly?

There were a number of officers who seemed to embrace casual dress, especially in the field - I believe Barlow and Buford may have been two? But the dressing down to avoid being recognized (or picked off in battle) had not occurred to me. Interesting point!

 

[BarryR]

I misunderstood the question, disregard...Sorry

 

[BarryR]

I misunderstood the question, disregard part II

 

[thomas aagaard]

But the dressing down to avoid being recognized (or picked off in battle) had not occurred to me. Interesting point!

Notice the subdued rank on two of them. One have it on his collar the other more like low on the shoulders.

As early as the 7 year war (French Indian War) British company officers in the light companies often carried muskets and made other changes to their uniforms and kit to look more like the men.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

View attachment 450432
Notice the subdued rank on two of them. One have it on his collar the other more like low on the shoulders.

As early as the 7 year war (French Indian War) British company officers in the light companies often carried muskets and made other changes to their uniforms and kit to look more like the men.

Excellent example. Is it possible to know the names of these men?

 

[thomas aagaard]

found this description:
A FEDERAL COURT-MARTIAL AFTER GETTYSBURG The court-martial pictured is that of the second division, Twelfth Army Corps. It was convened at Ellis Ford, \a., in July,1863. Such officers were especially detailed from various regiments of a division of their corps, for the purpose of judging all classes of cases, crimes, and misdemeanors against the general regulations of the army. The officers above tried a large number of cases of desertion, insubordination, and disobedience to orders, sentencing in this particular court-martial three deserters to be shot. Two of these men were executed in the presence of the whole division, at Mortons Ford on the Rapidan, in September following. The idea of a court-martial in the service was somewhat similar to that of a civil jury. The judge-advocate of a general court-martial stood in the relationship of a prosecuting district-attorney, except for the fact that he had to protect the prisoners interest when the latter was unable to employ counsel.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if it was period correct to have captains shoulder boards on a enlisted mans sack coat ?

It would depend on where and when you are recreating plus the unit. Wearing of enlisted uniforms with officer rank is quite common though. There was even shoulder straps without borders that were used. Confederates did the same thing with officers wearing only collar insignia and hat cords. Both sides used plain caps in the field.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Wearing of enlisted uniforms with officer rank is quite common though.

I don't believe that is entirely correct.
Officers had to buy their own uniforms, so we do se plenty of uniforms that do not follow the regulations to the letter.
But that do not make them issued sackcoats.

When you do find an officer wearing something that do look like one, you will often find something like added pockets.
And the material and fitting would usually be better.

Sure we can't say that it never happened. But common it was not.
Wearing a non-regulation uniform was way more common.