Early North Carolina Jackets

[Tailor Pete]

Hello esteemed CWT Members...

While we are all well acquainted with the North Carolina issued Sack Coat, and the later North Carolina Shell Jackets (in their myriad forms) my question deals with the jackets issued during the transition. I've read references (on this forum and elsewhere) that for a brief time period, shortened jackets featuring the fall collar and false epaulets of the Sack Coat were issued to NC Troops. I cannot find any representation of this jacket, nor can I locate any first-hand accounts of these jackets.

I find it hard to believe that such jackets were ever produced. Even if there were pre-cut blanks in possession of various contractors, it seems more logical that these would have been assembled and issued until these stocks were exhausted. The epaulets may have been omitted on these 'Late' Sack Coats, (solving the mysterious photos of such coats on NC Soldiers) but I feel that would have been the only logical deviation until the NC Shell Jackets were made available.

Am I completely off track? What are your views on this?

 

[major bill]

Great question but I will have to do some research on this.

 

[Tailor Pete]

Thank you, Major Bill. I'm a bit hampered in my research due to my location. Tucson doesn't have much to offer Civil War researchers.

 

[Package4]

From what I gather (American Military Equipage, Todd) by September of 1861 current stocks of state uniforms were exhausted in issues to the 28 regiments raised by the state. A clothing manufactory was hastily organized with every mill in the state to furnish every yard possible. Agents were sent outside the state to procure shoes, overcoats and uniforms, this could be the transitional period, North Carolina was just trying to get through the winter of 1862 with whatever they might procure. This "commutation" period lasted approximately 1 year and was able to clothe and shod 65 regiments until September 30th 1862. Change from the sack to shell actually occurred in Feb of 1862, though was not universal. (Todd p 1063).

September 1862 on, much of the uniform and clothing stock came from running of the blockade.

 

[tullock]

The jackets you are referring to were issued for a short time in early 1862. There is a photo of a young soldier wearing one in Les Jensen's book Johnny Reb.

 

[Package4]

Hello esteemed CWT Members...

While we are all well acquainted with the North Carolina issued Sack Coat, and the later North Carolina Shell Jackets (in their myriad forms) my question deals with the jackets issued during the transition. I've read references (on this forum and elsewhere) that for a brief time period, shortened jackets featuring the fall collar and false epaulets of the Sack Coat were issued to NC Troops. I cannot find any representation of this jacket, nor can I locate any first-hand accounts of these jackets.

I find it hard to believe that such jackets were ever produced. Even if there were pre-cut blanks in possession of various contractors, it seems more logical that these would have been assembled and issued until these stocks were exhausted. The epaulets may have been omitted on these 'Late' Sack Coats, (solving the mysterious photos of such coats on NC Soldiers) but I feel that would have been the only logical deviation until the NC Shell Jackets were made available.

Am I completely off track? What are your views on this?

On February 10, 1862 Assistant Quartermaster Major John Devereaux wrote to a firm with which the state had contracts, "I will be obliged if you will cut no more coats, but cut all jackets, a sample will be sent you in a few days." The sample was the six button jacket, which was formed by shortening the state regulation sack coat. The falling collar and shoulder trim were retained, but by summer, the jackets were made more to the central government standard, eliminating the falling collar and black shoulder trim.

 

[Tailor Pete]

Thank you Package4 and Tullock! I had surmised that after the supply scare of late '61, that North Carolina had (more successfully than most) been able to bridge the gap. I had found the above reference to the 'shortened' sack coats, but had not seen anything resembling that description until the above photo. Indeed, it shows a few differences (the epaulets look to be true in nature, and not appliqués like the sack coats, and it appears to have 7 buttons... but if it was made from a shortened sack coat pattern, that last button may have been a necessity) but conforms to the description quite well.

This may have well answered my questions.

 

[Package4]

Hey welcome to CWT, glad to have another uniform aficionado on board!

 

[Guepe]

Chaplain Robert Bean Sutton

Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

 

[Klaudly]

Particular sergeant insignia with eight-pointed star, for his role as chaplain or did He have another role in the regiment?

 

[Guepe]

I presume he would have been spared due to his job and importance for morale.