Deerskin and buckskin.

[major bill]

The concept of a rugged frontiersman in deerskin clothing is part of American folk legend. The wearing of deerskin clothing was probably limited. Even Native Americans were keen on wearing European cloth items. Other than symbolism was there any practical reason for Civil War soldiers to wear deerskin or buckskin clothing?

Probably few Civil War soldiers wore deerskin or buckskin clothing. Is there documented instances of the use of deerskin or buckskin clothing? What about Native Americans recuited by the Union and Confederacy?

 

[Copperhead-mi]

The concept of a rugged frontiersman in deerskin clothing is part of American folk legend. The wearing of deerskin clothing was probably limited. Even Native Americans were keen on wearing European cloth items. Other than symbolism was there any practical reason for Civil War soldiers to wear deerskin or buckskin clothing?

Probably few Civil War soldiers wore deerskin or buckskin clothing. Is there documented instances of the use of deerskin or buckskin clothing? What about Native Americans recuited by the Union and Confederacy?

Custer's post-Civil War buckskin coat:

Buckskin coat

Physical DescriptionDouble-breasted buckskin coat, with fringe on the pockets and collar and along the sleeves.Specific HistoryThis buckskin coat was worn…

americanhistory.si.edu

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Some where I've picked up the idea that there were Calvary pants used by some that were reinforced in seat and thighs with leather, but I can't find a source for that. I don't think they were government issued though.

 

[major bill]

In the book "The American Civil War in the Indian Territory" by John D. Spencer and Illustrated by Adam Hook there are several men wearing traditional clothing to include buckskin trousers a ns one or two wearing buckskin hunting jackets.

 

[Package4]

In the book "The American Civil War in the Indian Territory" by John D. Spencer and Illustrated by Adam Hook there are several men wearing traditional clothing to include buckskin trousers a ns one or two wearing buckskin hunting jackets.

The concept of a rugged frontiersman in deerskin clothing is part of American folk legend. The wearing of deerskin clothing was probably limited. Even Native Americans were keen on wearing European cloth items. Other than symbolism was there any practical reason for Civil War soldiers to wear deerskin or buckskin clothing?

Probably few Civil War soldiers wore deerskin or buckskin clothing. Is there documented instances of the use of deerskin or buckskin clothing? What about Native Americans recuited by the Union and Confederacy?

I have two pre war militia uniforms with doe skin breeches, if I recall correctly they were with the Albany Blues and of a colonial/revolution style uniform.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Capt. Hubert Dilger, the German-American commander of Battery I, 1st Ohio Light Artilley, was known as "Old Leather Breeches" for the leather riding trousers he wore. He was one of the most distinguished Union artillery leaders of the war and won the Medal of Honor for his actions at Chancellorsville.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I love Custer´s coat! I came here to mention Dilger, so I´m glad somebody beat me to it. Deerskin breeches, trousers and leggins had been a big part of late 18th century men´s dress, not only on the frontier but anywhere the wearer needed long-lasting, sturdy clothing. I believe James Boswell, the Scottish lawyer who is famous for his biography of Samuel Johnson, wrote that he wore a pair of doeskin breeches on a wild night on the town in London in the 1760s. I think by the mid-19th century they´d fallen out of fashion as other woven material stepped up to fill that gap: wool and cotton denim and corduroy come to mind. Of course, the issue trousers were wool, not leather, so Dilger was a real exception, and notable for his appearance. He´s the only famous Civil War soldier I can think of who is specifically singled out wearing leather pants.

 

[Cavalier]

@Reconstructed Rebel I believe some European cavalry men would wear trousers reinforced with leather on the inside of the legs and seat like you mentioned. I know French light cavalry regiments, (hussars, chasseurs, and lancers), of the Seven Years War and Napoleonic era did and I believe British light cavalry did also but don't know about other countries or eras.

I have never seen any American cavalry regiments depicted wearing these but I am no expert.

John

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

@Reconstructed Rebel I believe some European cavalry men would wear trousers reinforced with leather on the inside of the legs and seat like you mentioned. I know French light cavalry regiments, (hussars, chasseurs, and lancers), of the Seven Years War and Napoleonic era did and I believe British light cavalry did also but don't know about other countries or eras.

I have never seen any American cavalry regiments depicted wearing these but I am no expert.

John

I think you are absolutely right. Where ever I picked that idea up, it doesn't appear to apply to U.S. cavalry. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Scott K]

The following found in a 2011 Authentic Campaigner post. I can't verify it's accuracy, but had heard of skin knapsacks years ago.....

American Civil War Knapsacks

Buy American Civil War Knapsacks Here

acwknapsacks.com

French Calfskin Knapsacks,
At the onset of the war the U.S. Quartermaster ordered 10,000 complete uniforms from Paris, Which consisted of caps, jackets ,pants , leathers,cleaning brushes ,shoes, canteens and hair covered knapsacks as well as other uniform items. The order was filled and arrived in November 1861.
These uniform sets were first issued to the 83rd Pennsylvania, 62nd Pennsylvania and 18th Massachusetts. The knapsacks being made of black veilskin for "Les Chasseurs and Le Zouaves". The Federal troops found the actual uniforms for the most part too small and they were returned to the Q.M. Dept but it is believed the other equiptment was retained for use .
Eye witness accounts state large numbers of Confederate prisoners captured at the Battle of Malvern Hill in July 1862 were equipted with ox skin knapsacks, it is speculated they might have been left behind by Federal troops and picked up by C.S. forces.
Further accounts state that Federal forces came upon a fenced area containing hundreds of knapsacks covered with hair at the Battle of Bristoe Station Va., that were left by General Early's Brigade who were the rear guard at this engagement. It is documented that they were dropped to make a rear action charge and the troops never returned to collect them. Early's Brigade consisted of the 13th, 25th,31st,44th,49th, 52nd and 58th Virginia Regiments respectfully.
The question here is did French manufacturer Alexis Godillot provide said equiptment for both sides or were these packs passed back and forth on the battlefield.
We are offering both documented patterns made from assorted brown/black calfskins with black leather straps and trim.

 

[Michael C. Hardy]

In February 1863, Stonewall Jackson was given a buckskin shirt, shipped to him through the blockade. Alas, I've never seen an image of the shirt.