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- Aug 25, 2012
Engineers in the field were to be issued coveralls. What did Civil War coveralls look like? The Dover reprint of the 1889 Quartermaster Manual shows engineer coveralls similar to a photograph of the 1st New York Engineers, but were these the standard issue? A photograph of Engineers at Franklin's Landing shows canvas duck 'bib' coveralls. A photo of Colonel Barton Alexander shows him wearing protective canvas duck leggings or 'chaparejos' (chaps). There is no record of the Quartermaster purchasing 'chaps' so perhaps these were a private purchase item. Michigan also contracted to have over shirts and overalls made up for the 1st Michigan Engineers.i The exact color and style of these Michigan issued overalls in not known. No photographs of the 1st Michigan Engineers wearing these two-piece overalls has been found and no image have been found that shows 'bib' overalls. i "Contracts for Army Clothing", Detroit Daily Tribune morning ed., November 1 1861, p.1, col. 3.
The overalls used by Civil War engineers are a bit confusing. It appear that coveralls may have be both made at military arsenals and purchased from commercial contractors and vendors. I also wonder how often the engineers would have received replacement garments.
Were Civil War coveralls similar to the stable dress of cavalrymen?
manu
The overalls used by Civil War engineers are a bit confusing. It appear that coveralls may have be both made at military arsenals and purchased from commercial contractors and vendors. I also wonder how often the engineers would have received replacement garments.
Were Civil War coveralls similar to the stable dress of cavalrymen?
manu
Bringing the