CSA Uniform Guidance Needed

[9th US Regulars]

Hello all.

I've come again to this always helpful avenue for some guidance. I've finally gotten the information on who my southern ancestor was, and I'm hoping you lot can help me figure out what he might have worn.

1LT Alberry Bruton, Company E, 43rd Georgia Infantry.

OVERVIEW:43rd Infantry Regiment, organized at Big Shanty, Georgia, in April, 1862, contained men from Cherokee, Pickens, Cobb, Hall, Forsyth, Jefferson, and Jackson counties. The unit moved to Tennessee, then Mississippi where it placed under the command of General Barton in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. It took an active part in the conflicts at Chickasaw Bayou and Champion's Hill, and was captured when Vicksburg fell. After being exchanged, the 43rd was assigned to General Stovall's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. It was prominent in the numerous campaigns of the army from Missionary Ridge to Nashville, and ended the war in North Carolina. In December, 1863, it totalled 283 men and 251 arms, and in November, 1864, there were 130 fit for duty. On April 26, 1865, the unit surrendered. Its commanding officers were Colonels Hiram P. Bell, Skidmore Harris, and Henry C. Kellogg, and Major William C. Lester.

What kind of coat, headgear, and belt would be common for a junior officer in the western theater? I'd particularly like to know about the particulars for Vicksburg and Nashville, and curious about the time of surrender after he'd been promoted to Captain.

A little more about him;
Bruton, Alberry -- 1st Lieutenant - March 10, 1862. Elected Captain. Captured at Vicksburg, Mississippi July 4, 1863, and paroled there July 6, 1863. Roll for April 30, 1864, last on file, shows him present. Pension records show he surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina April 26, 1865. (Died in Forsyth County, Georgia April 15, 1904.)

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

It might help if you provided more information like at what period in the war.

Clink on the following link you will see the tintype of "Capt. Joseph M. Storey, Co. G, 43rd Georgia Infantry, circa 1863.. Storey is in uniform , and shows amputated finger (post May 16, 1863 wounding)."

Tintype - Joseph McLester Storey | American Civil War Museum

 

[9th US Regulars]

It might help if you provided more information like at what period in the war.

Clink on the following link you will see the tintype of "Capt. Joseph M. Storey, Co. G, 43rd Georgia Infantry, circa 1863.. Storey is in uniform , and shows amputated finger (post May 16, 1863 wounding)."

Tintype - Joseph McLester Storey | American Civil War Museum

I think I'd like to find out about what he would've worn at Vicksburg first, and then Nashville.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

I think I'd like to find out about what he would've worn at Vicksburg first, and then Nashville.

You asked about what type of uniform a junior officer of 43rd Georgia might have worn. Well a picture is worth a thousand words and I provided you with a photo. I don't imagine this unit was heavily photographed and unless you are willing to search for other primary sources like photos, uniforms and period descriptions, then what you find on the Internet is limited.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Fred has done a tremendous amount of research. Respectfully have you bothered to even do an Internet search?

Confederate Uniforms of the Lower South, Part III: Georgia and the Army of Tennessee

Confederate Uniforms of the Lower South, Part III: Georgia and the Army of Tennessee By Fred Adolphus, August 18, 2019

adolphusconfederateuniforms.com

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Well, CS officers had to procure their own uniforms and gear. This makes the question difficult to answer as the possibilities are seemingly endless and no two would dress exactly alike. You'd have anything from military coats made at home or by a professional taylor, to literally slapping their rank on a civilian coat. Even some enlisted gear is documented as being worn by junior officers, although it wasn't officially "allowed."

What was your ancestor's rank at Vicksburg? Was he 1Lt or still a non comm?

 

[9th US Regulars]

You asked about what type of uniform a junior officer of 43rd Georgia might have worn. Well a picture is worth a thousand words and I provided you with a photo. I don't imagine this unit was heavily photographed and unless you are willing to search for other primary sources like photos, uniforms and period descriptions, then what you find on the Internet is limited.

My apologies. I'm checking in while maintaining a high paced work day. I missed the picture. Thank you.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

I understand books can be expensive, some have't been downloaded to read online and others can't be obtained through an inter library loan. You miss out on an important part of being a reenactors/living historian if you don't do the research yourself.

Have you thought about contacting the Georgia State Historical Society or the County Historical Societ's were the men from the 43rd Georgia came from to see what they have in their collection's?

 

[9th US Regulars]

Well, CS officers had to procure their own uniforms and gear. This makes the question difficult to answer as the possibilities are seemingly endless and no two would dress exactly alike. You'd have anything from military coats made at home or by a professional taylor, to literally slapping their rank on a civilian coat. Even some enlisted gear is documented as being worn by junior officers, although it wasn't officially "allowed."

What was your ancestor's rank at Vicksburg? Was he 1Lt or still a non comm?

As far as I can tell he started in the officer ranks, becoming Captain before the end. I unfortunately don't know when. My mother has much more about him but she's steadfastly refused to share at all. I had to find the name through deduction using the NPS soldiers database and matching up vague information about what part of Georgia I know the family has lived. Then Grandma was able to confirm the name this morning.

 

[9th US Regulars]

I understand books can be expensive, some have't been downloaded to read online and others can't be obtained through an inter library loan. You miss out on an important part of being a reenactors/living historian if you don't do the research yourself.

Have you thought about contacting the Georgia State Historical Society or the County Historical Societ's were the men from the 43rd Georgia came from to see what they have in their collection's?


View attachment 477708

I didn't even know such a thing exists. Thank you, I'll try that.

 

[RedRover]

Heres the illustration for infantry junior officers from the Confederate Army unform regulations, 1861.

Most Confederate Army volunteer unit officers dressed similarly, though the coats were usually cut with a longer, more fashionable skirt (notes G. Moxley Sorrell of Longstreets' staff). Here's an example from the Smithsonian collection, of an infantry captain:

Confederate Army general orders from mid-1862, to reduce casualties among the officer corps after Shiloh and Seven Pines, allowed
from June 3, 1862 that officers in the field could wear a "fatigue dress" in lieu of the regulation uniform. This consisted of either a "regulation frock coat" but without the collar insignia, or a gray jacket with the collar insignia. The line officers were to wear only the plain uniform caps of the privates of their commands, devoid of the gold trim and loops of their regulation uniform cap. (many officers just wore hats instead).

Here Lt. Goodloe of the 35th Alabama, Army of Tennessee, from an engraving from an 1863 photograph, wears the regulation frock coat, without collar insignia...or on the sleeves.

And here's the officers of Co. H, 57th Georgia Regiment, wearing plain jackets for fatigue dress:

After the Atlanta campaign, a Union Army soldier captured by Hood's army marching into Tennessee in late 1864 noted the officers generally were dressed like the soldiers:

"They were ragged and thinly clad, having as a general thing, only pantaloons, shirt, and hat in their inventory of clothing, the first too greasy and tattered, the last shocking affairs in multitudinous variety. As a general thing they were tolerably well shod, though in Stewart's divisions one of our officers counted over three hundred barefooted privates-Not more than one in ten had blankets, and much suffering must have ensued through the keen frosty nights now prevailing. In the line distinction as to apparel, between the officers and the men, was nearly obliterated. Regimental discipline seemed loose, and privates appeared to comment upon the commands of their immediate officers with an unction and broadness of diction which was always been native to the taste and instinct of the highly polished, intelligent, and asthetick lower orders of the South, surnamed the sunny..."

Here's a pair of Georgia Hospital and Relief Association made trousers, worn by Lt. Hamilton Branch of the 54th Georgia near the close of the war:

Branch also wore a gray soldier's jacket, with blue cuffs and collar facings (illustrated in the book, "Echoes of Glory" Arms, equipment and uniforms of the Confederate army).

-Here's a photo of a group of Confederate officers, prisoners of war at Point Lookout, most dressed plainly in their "fatigue" dress. some in common citizen's gray sack coats...

 

[captaindrew]

As already stated there was a lot of variation in CS officer uniforms. Another variation I've seen and read about quite a bit with Georgia officers, particularly early war, is a single breasted frock coat with black trim. Black trim was specified for infantry for Georgia state troops.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

As far as I can tell he started in the officer ranks, becoming Captain before the end. I unfortunately don't know when. My mother has much more about him but she's steadfastly refused to share at all. I had to find the name through deduction using the NPS soldiers database and matching up vague information about what part of Georgia I know the family has lived. Then Grandma was able to confirm the name this morning.

Well if he indeed was always an officer, it really does depend on when. Single breasted frocks were always common, just leave off the "chicken guts"(sleeve braids), and you could do either blue trim or leave it plain. I'd avoid strictly "enlisted" gear, but a plain, simple, "homemade" style jacket like this is always a good bet:

C. Wright Jean Plains 6 Button Jacket

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www.bnbtart.com

Civilian Sack Coat

And some plain pants:

Side Seam Pocket Trousers

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

What kind of coat, headgear, and belt would be common for a junior officer in the western theater? I'd particularly like to know about the particulars for Vicksburg and Nashville, and curious about the time of surrender after he'd been promoted to Captain.

Great questions 9th US !

I had the same questions about my CSA junior
"line officer" ancestor's uniforms.

1st Lt. William Magee (GG Uncle)
Company I, 9th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, ANV.

The more I researched, I was fortunate to discover a few images of these guys.
Three had the standard CSA uniforms:
but the most active of the group was in civilian attire.
( He was wearing what looked like a "bee-hive hat" with a Mississippi Star pinned on the side.

I really hate to say this, but my ancestors gave me the impression of trying to "out do" each other
with the best officer uniform.

You've received a lot of great information, so I hope that helps you !

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I forgot to add, one enlisted ancestor had uniform on par, if not better than his officer cousins:

TN partisan ranger appearance? | Relic Hunting & Collecting

What would have the partisan ranger uniform look like would be more civilian or miss match of different uniform. What all would they have carried with them would they have a knapsack? All my ancestors fought in the partisan ranger all center around the 1st tn partisan ranger also call the 12th...

civilwartalk.com

 

[captaindrew]

Great questions 9th US !

I had the same questions about my CSA junior
"line officer" ancestor's uniforms.
View attachment 477883
1st Lt. William Magee (GG Uncle)
Company I, 9th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, ANV.

The more I researched, I was fortunate to discover a few images of these guys.
Three had the standard CSA uniforms:
but the most active of the group was in civilian attire.
( He was wearing what looked like a "bee-hive hat" with a Mississippi Star pinned on the side.

I really hate to say this, but my ancestors gave me the impression of trying to "out do" each other
with the best officer uniform.

You've received a lot of great information, so I hope that helps you !

Being officers had to supply themselves it was certainly a status symbol particularly early on. Men of means would have the best tailored uniform made of the best imported fabric they could afford. On the other hand there were those that didn't that would have homespun but had a pride in being self reliant. There's a great section in "Echoes of Glory" showing excellent examples of originals from both ends of the spectrum. That's a great set of books for those that don't have it I highly recommend it for a good overview of uniforms and equipment. As the war went on though for the most part officers on both sides went with much more subdued uniforms in the field. I'm sure to not stand out as a target but I think it had more to due with comfort, especially with foot officers who were walking right along with the grunts.

 

[9th US Regulars]

As already stated there was a lot of variation in CS officer uniforms. Another variation I've seen and read about quite a bit with Georgia officers, particularly early war, is a single breasted frock coat with black trim. Black trim was specified for infantry for Georgia state troops. View attachment 477758View attachment 477759

Oh how interesting! I see they're wearing shoulder board rank insignia. Are they the same as the federal insignia?

 

[captaindrew]

Oh how interesting! I see they're wearing shoulder board rank insignia. Are they the same as the federal insignia?

Yes, there's plenty of examples of early war officers wearing shoulder boards, same as Federal, especially if they came out of a local militia or in the case of Georgia the early state troops regs called for shoulder boards.

 

[RedRover]

Oh how interesting! I see they're wearing shoulder board rank insignia. Are they the same as the federal insignia?

Probably very similar to the US Army's, which was also the standard for Georgia Militia officers before the war. Officers of militia "volunteer" companies wore the uniform of their corps.

In February, 1861 Georgia approved uniform regulations for the Army of Georgia (State regular troops), which was essentially the same as the system of rank straps for the US Army (in fact while the uniform of enlisted men was gray, these regs. called for blue uniforms for all officers of this force):

SHOULDER STRAPS.

For a Brigadier General — dark blue cloth one and three eighths inches wide, by four long; bordered with an embroidery of gold one fourth of an inch wide; one silver embroidered star of five rays, the centre of the star to be equidistant from the outer edge of the embroidery on the ends of the straps.

For a Colonel — the same as for a Brigadier General, and bordered in like manner with an embroidery of gold; a silver embroidered Phoenix rising from flame on the centre of strap, two inches between the tip of the wings; cloth of the straps according to their corps respectively. Staff officers, except Ordnanace and Engineers — dark blue; Artillery, orange; Infantry light or sky blue; Ordnance, crimson; Engineers yellow.

For a Lieutenant Colonel — the same as for a Colonel, according to corps, omitting the Phoenix, and introducing a silver embroidered leaf at each end, each leaf extending seven eighths of an inch from the end border of the strap.

For a Major — the same as for a Colonel, according to corps, omitting the Phoenix, and introducing a gold embroidered leaf at each end, each leaf extending seven eighths of an inch form the end border of the strap.

For a Captain — The same as for a Colonel, according to corps, omitting the Phoenix, and introducing at each end, two gold embroidered bars of the same width as the border, placed parallel to the ends of the strap, the distance between them and from the border, equal to the width of the border.

For a First Lieutenant — the same as for a Colonel according to corps, omitting the Phoenix, and introducing at each end, one gold embroidered bar of the same width as the border, placed parallel to the end of the strap, at a distance from the border equal to its width.

For a Second Lieutenant — the same as Colonel, according to corps, omitting the Phoenix.

The shoulder strap will be worn whenever the epaulette is not."

The CS Army's uniform regulations, the uniform best known for CSA officers, was only adopted in June, 1861, and thereafter distributed to the public, that volunteer and militia officers might so outfit themselves where inclined or required.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

There's a great section in "Echoes of Glory" showing excellent examples of originals from both ends of the spectrum. That's a great set of books for those that don't have it I highly recommend it for a good overview of uniforms and equipment.

Absolutely !

I bought the "Echoes of Glory" set years ago, and I'm still returning to the photos
and descriptions quite often.